Kawhi Leonard, as a top superstar in the league, has always been a player of great interest. However, his performance and condition over the past two years have been quite worrying. He has been unable to maintain his health on the court, often getting injured and leaving during the playoffs and key games.
As a result, expectations within the Clippers organization for Leonard are now lower than ever. Perhaps sensing that his image and status are at risk, Leonard made some controversial remarks upon his return, saying, "I'm not sure about my knee issues; I'll gradually find my rhythm and recover in the upcoming games." It seems that Leonard himself is not very confident this time, as he admits to being unsure about the specifics of his knee injury.
The Clippers are likely quite taken aback by this, as it is more concerning than previous instances. Leonard himself is uncertain whether he can return to peak form. Yet, the Clippers previously offered him a maximum contract extension. It appears that Leonard may simply be coasting through this contract. Fans are even more furious, calling Leonard a fraud and urging Ballmer to fire him, saying, "Get rid of him quickly, Ballmer. Keeping Leonard around is only affecting and harming the morale of his teammates."
From the once highly anticipated duo of Leonard and George, to last season's trio, and now to their complete downfall this season, Leonard and the Clippers have indeed left their fans feeling utterly disheartened. It's also unfortunate for Harden, who chose to join the Clippers, as his chances of winning a championship now seem slim.