Kawhi Leonard sat out the Clippers‘ preseason opener Saturday night, but he expressed confidence that his surgically repaired right knee will be less of a problem this season, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Leonard was limited to two games in last year’s playoffs due to inflammation in the knee, then he was replaced on the U.S. Olympic team because of concerns that the knee wouldn’t permit him to play.
Leonard told Youngmisuk that the focus in training camp has been on strengthening his knee and preparing him for the long season ahead. However, no determination has been made on whether he’ll be used in back-to-back games.
“I feel good,” Leonard said. “Just been taking my time, getting stronger and getting ready. … We’re just taking it slow, day by day and just trying to get me back on the floor. Once those conversations come, we’ll see what they’re talking about [on the best approach for back-to-backs].”
Leonard appeared in 68 games last season, his highest total in seven years, and the Clippers will need him in the lineup as much as possible to remain competitive after losing Paul George in free agency. Leonard is hoping for a similar workload this season, but that’s not his primary concern.
“I strive to get a championship and I’m not out there to try to [solely] play 82 games,” he added. “I’m trying to win, even though [playing as much as I can] that’s obligated for me. I try to. But it hasn’t worked out [the last two postseasons] so we’ll see.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac looked ready for the regular season on Saturday, but it may take time for coach Tyronn Lue to work out the rest of the Clippers‘ rotation, writes Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Newcomers Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones were in the starting lineup, but they both went scoreless. More impressive were Kevin Porter Jr., who scored seven points, and Kai Jones, who contributed four points, six rebounds and three assists.
- Lindy Waters, who’s in camp on a non-guaranteed contract, won the game for the Warriors with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, per Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle. Waters described the moment as the “cherry on top” after a long week of training camp. “I had already hit a couple of them, so that rim gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “So I just let it fly, and I knew it was good as soon as it left my hand.”
- One positive for the Lakers in Friday’s preseason opener was backup guard Gabe Vincent, who scored 11 points in 15 minutes. Vincent missed 71 games last year with a knee injury, and he told Lakers Nation this week that he didn’t feel 100% until about a month after the season ended. “Obviously I was healthy enough to come back and compete, but I think it was clear to everybody that I wasn’t really myself even though I was able to impact in certain ways,” Vincent said. “It just wasn’t really what I was proud of producing and I don’t think it’s what this ballclub needed me to produce at the time. So definitely happy to be healthy coming into this season.”
With all the new faces on the warriors this year they were out of sync on their passes. Going to take some time to learn the new players rotations. The bench looks much stronger this year.
Moses Moody was the best player on the court both offensively and defensively, and Podz cant score or defend. Hate to see it! Hope Podz plays better or else he won’t be seeing any playing time! Moody literally plays like a Kawhi clone out there now…
Melton looks like Kerr’s new fave, replacing Podz from last year. “Connector guy” haha no one other than Kerr uses that term. Its not an official basketball term. If it is, why isn’t that guy Steph Curry then? Makes no sense. Oh well at least Melton plays D….
GSW still top 6 team in the west, book it!
Moody played great against the clipper scrubs. Trade him now while he’s hot !!!
arc89 , good take.
What are your thoughts on finding enough minutes for the wings (Wiggins, JK, Moody, Hield, Melton, GP2) and Podz, assuming he’s limited to PG?
I’m worried this will take too long to sort out.
Bench does look strong, but Zubac always makes me want at least more one real big body. Everybody else in the West is getting bigger.
They have forever to figure out the rotations. Kerr is good about that. Everyone saying Moody didn’t get a chance yet he averaged 18 minutes a game last year.
So the minutes will be spread until we get a few dozen games into it. Not necessary to have the rotations figured out coming out of training camp. It’s all fluid especially with a deep team like this.
Perhaps it works out like this with Payton and Moody the odd men out.
Curry Podski point guards, Melton and Hield shooting guards, JK and Wiggins small forwards and maybe JK some minutes at the 4 also.
Gary Payton and Moody getting back up minutes every 4th or 5th game. Play them 20 to keep them sharp.
I agree Zubac always scores at will underneath against the warriors, or so it seems. Frustrating to watch. He’s good but still don’t like it.
“Kawhi Leonard sat out the Clippers‘ preseason opener Saturday night, but he expressed confidence that his surgically repaired right knee WILL BE LESS OF A PROBLEM this season.”
Would have been great if he had said his surgically repaired right knee would NOT be a problem this year.
But I suppose that’s wishful thinking for fans of his game who love to watch him play.