As Clippers Nation and different corners of the NBA universe await the return of All-Star ahead Kawhi Leonard, his teammates haven’t been sitting idly by whereas his proper knee recovers.
They’ve received video games they did not must win and are taking good care of video games they need to be successful – all with out their star participant. The Clippers are 18-13 and have an opportunity to enhance on a three-game highway journey that begins Monday towards the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kawhi?
“We’re not fascinated about Kawhi coming again but,” middle Ivica Zubac mentioned, in a second of honesty.
When Leonard returns — Saturday evening at residence towards Atlanta could be a great guess — he’ll discover a Clippers crew that has developed sturdy chemistry, leans on James Harden for management and Norman Powell for scoring and has constructed a fame stingy protection. .
“We need to win video games, we need to win each recreation irrespective of who’s on the sphere and we did that,” Zubac added. “It doesn’t matter what it seems to be like, we have now to win. We’re going to play arduous; we’ll defend.
“Some nights we’re not going to shoot effectively, or we’re not going to defend, however one factor we are able to do each evening is play protection. That is what this crew goes to do. We’ll play arduous and play arduous on the defensive finish, and that is going to present us an opportunity to win.
With or with out Leonardo.
“We simply deal with what we are able to management and be within the second,” Harden mentioned. “Each time that occurs, (we’ll) get to that bridge when it comes.” However we’re centered on the subsequent recreation and the video games we play.
Do not mistake the gamers’ carefree perspective for not caring about their celebrity teammate. They need Leonard again however cannot get caught up within the hype and hypothesis. They’ve at the least three video games left with out Leonard, who stayed behind to get extra reps with the G League crew earlier than the Clippers’ subsequent residence recreation.
“He’s the subsequent man up all yr,” mentioned Powell, who’s averaging 24.4 factors and taking pictures 46.6 p.c from 3-point vary in Leonard’s absence. “When Kawhi comes again, they may perceive. That is not our job. Our job is to determine our new roles and make every thing work.
“We’re all pulling in the identical route. All of us maintain making an attempt to show everybody unsuitable and the way they understand us, and the job is to be prepared for a deep playoff run. That is how we see it.
When Leonard returns, there will certainly be roster adjustments, gamers should sacrifice minutes, factors, or each.
“Everybody should sacrifice and Kawhi will come again,” Powell added. “I imply, he’s a franchise participant, however the advantage of this crew is we don’t have egos. All of us need to win. All of us have one thing to show and we do it collectively.
Harden mentioned Leonard was conscious of how his return might shake up what’s been constructing all season. However the veteran level guard believes Leonard’s return might be easy. The Clippers will proceed to play aggressive protection and assault the basket.
“We’re nonetheless going to say it the identical approach. It is simply now that we have now one other elite weapon on each ends of the ground, in order that’s positively a bonus for us.
PELICAN CLEARERS
When: Monday, 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Or: Smoothie King Heart, New Orleans
Tv/radio: FDSN SoCal, 5:70 a.m.
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