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Kawhi Leonard has proven that as long as he is healthy and on the court, he remains one of the top-tier stars in both offense and defense. Despite his playing style being somewhat "boring" compared to the multifaceted skills of modern forwards, Kawhi's gameplay may seem unexciting, with his moves not particularly flashy. Yet, within his specific domain, Kawhi is nearly invincible.
This season marks the first time since 2020 that Kawhi has started a season fully healthy, without any load management or time restrictions, allowing him to showcase his abilities without any reservations. However, even the seemingly robotic Kawhi needs time to "warm up." In the first two months of the season, his performance was average, especially noticeable in his mid-range jump shots, which were almost non-existent, with shooting percentages of only 27.3% and 34.9% in October and November, respectively. While some of this could be attributed to adjusting to playing alongside James Harden, much of it was due to him struggling to find his rhythm. But once the machine is warmed up, it's a steady and uninterrupted stream of scoring.
Entering December, the ruthless +2 robot is back! Not only did his mid-range accuracy reach fifty percent, but his average points per game for the month rose to 29.3. With an otherworldly shooting efficiency of 61.3% (field goals), 50% (three-pointers), and 95.7% (free throws), despite missing a few games due to injury, Kawhi played in all nine games that month, and the Clippers won every single one of them. During this period, the team's record skyrocketed, bouncing back from a dismal 3-7 start to claiming the top spot in the Western Conference.
Just how strong is Kawhi this season? Despite averaging only 23.8 points per game, which may seem unremarkable at first glance, his efficiency is surprisingly high. He has entered the prestigious 180 Club with a field goal percentage of 58.9% and a true shooting percentage of 63.1%, both career highs. Additionally, he boasts the league's best efficiency in isolation plays, averaging 1.2 points per possession. His consistent shooting mechanics force defenders to respect his outside shot, but even when confronted head-on, his excellent fundamentals and strong physique allow him to find a path straight to the basket.
Similar to discussions about Paul George's efficiency this season, Kawhi's effectiveness must also be attributed to the ball-handling benefits brought by Harden. Previously, the Clippers lacked a primary ball handler, relying on both stars to share playmaking duties. However, since joining the Clippers, Kawhi's playmaking responsibilities have increased noticeably, with his assists per game reaching as high as 5.2. However, compared to George, Kawhi's offensive versatility is somewhat limited, and he lacks the ball-handling skills necessary to be truly flexible on offense, often finding himself forced into unfamiliar shooting rhythms and positions.
Nevertheless, Kawhi's average touches per game have decreased to 53.4, the lowest since the 2015-16 season (excluding the 2017-18 season, in which he played only nine games). His turnover rate has dropped to the third-lowest of his career, and his assist percentage is a remarkable 47%, the sixth-highest of his career. However, the top five are all from before 2016, when Kawhi had not yet become a star player. Additionally, his offensive style has shifted, with a significant decrease in pick-and-roll plays and an increase in spot-up jumpers and off-ball cuts. |
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Post time 6-4-2024 16:36:54