THINKING BIGGER
Leonard's season stats are impressive but his eyes are on first title for Clippers
Kawhi Leonard will show up in Indianapolis this weekend and it won't be outwardly obvious whether the Clippers star is excited to be making his sixth All-Star appearance. His public face rarely shows his inward thoughts.
Yet, there is no mistaking what truly matters, career-wise, to Leonard and it's not midseason honors or participation trophies. There's only one goal left for the two-time NBA champion, and that's a third ring.
Leonard hasn't been silent about his quest to bring an NBA title to the Clippers, and this
All-Star Game, 5 p.m., TNT Clippers at Thunder, 5p.m., BSSC NBA fines Lue $35,000for his comments about officiating.
season he appears to have taken it upon himself to get that done.
“I mean I'm just focused on it right now,” said Leonard, who won NBA titles and a pair of Finals MVP trophies with the San Antonio Spurs (2014) and Toronto Raptors (2019).
“I'm in the moment in this season and I'm trying to get us to a place where you haven't been before, and that's what I'm focused on.” Laser focused.
Before an adductor strain sidelined him for the Clippers' victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night and put doubt on his participation in Sunday's All-Star Game, Leonard had missed just five games this season, a 180-degree turn from last season.
Leonard appeared in just 52 of 82 games last season, which was cut short when he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the first round of the playoffs. The Clippers were eliminated in five games by the Phoenix Suns.
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