Kawhi Leonard’s previous few seasons have been riddled with injury. Just last season, the Los Angeles Clippers superstar debuted in January, around midseason, after rehabbing an inflammation in his right knee. Now, the forward prepares to navigate the upcoming regular season while making sure he’s not sidelined, and Leonard seems to be taking steps to ensure he’s ready from day one.
In a courtside interview with Malika Andrews at a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, Leonard highlighted how the break after last year’s playoffs helped him physically and mentally prepare for the season. “I felt great. I was able to have a good offseason, travel a little bit, and just work on my body. And, you know, I haven’t had [a preseason game] in a minute, but they got me there,” he said, highlighting how big a difference a proper offseason can make for an elite athlete like him.
Leonard also stressed how the integration with the Clippers is going. “I’m coming in in January. I don’t go through no training camp, not knowing Jeff Van Gundy’s defensive principles. I’m learning it on the fly, getting my legs under me on the fly,” he said, highlighting how vital camp participation is, and how it gives him time to gel with the team and its system.
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The Clippers are also benefitting from Leonard’s early presence on the floor, with coaches and teammates now able to fully use him in offensive sets while taking advantage of his elite defensive skills. With a full training camp, Kawhi can fine tune his communication with teammates, especially after a major offseason retool for LA, who acquired players like Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, John Collins and Bradley Beal.
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This is a developing story.
Kawhi Leonard Provides Clear Health Update Ahead of Regular Season
