Kawhi Leonard's return to the Clippers is truly terrifying, as the Atlanta Hawks were the first team to experience it firsthand. Honestly, there were doubts among spectators about whether Leonard could play normally upon his return and if the Clippers would perform better. It's unclear why there was such high anticipation for Leonard's comeback.
However, it turned out that Leonard was indeed worth waiting for. Despite being cautious on the court and not making too many moves, an undeniable fact is that whenever Leonard is on the court, he exerts a deterrent force, causing other Clippers players to become naturally excited. This may be where Leonard's value lies. Even after 253 days of recuperation from injury, Leonard's offense has yet to fully recover, but his defense remains top-notch. This is a powerful gene inherent in him, which is essentially talent.
On the court, with just a stretch of his hand, opponents feel the pressure. The two classic steals against the Hawks reminded fans of Leonard's steal against LeBron James in a previous battle. At that time, Leonard was still young, while James was at the peak of his career. Yet, even the mighty James fell short against the "concrete-like" defense of the young Leonard.
That match made Leonard famous overnight. A healthy Leonard is undoubtedly one of the top small forwards in the league, capable of creating endless "trouble" for top-tier opponents. He is truly deserving of being a two-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).
As Leonard matured, he entered the pinnacle of an NBA star with the glow of a Finals MVP. However, during a game against the Warriors, Zaza Pachulia's infamous step shattered the future of a top-tier star. Despite Leonard's reluctance, he had to accept reality. His knee had become his Achilles' heel, casting a psychological shadow and becoming a perpetual nightmare.
Since then, Leonard's NBA career has been a cycle of playing, stopping, and recovering from injuries. Yet, NBA team owners still highly regard Leonard, eagerly pursuing him. Even though his abilities have significantly diminished, he remains a top-level presence in the league when partially healthy. For championship-hungry teams, Leonard seems to be the "god" who can lead them to victory. With Leonard, there is a chance and hope for winning the championship.
This is largely due to the significant impact of the Raptors' "gamble" on Leonard, which led to their championship win a year later. In 2019, the underdog Raptors, led by Leonard, defeated the then-unstoppable Warriors 4-2 in the Finals. Leonard delivered an impressive performance, averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, earning him the Finals FMVP and helping the Raptors secure their first NBA championship in team history.
Now, despite his knee injury seemingly recovering after surgery, it's unlikely that Leonard will reach his peak again. Fortunately, he met another great player with a "tortuous fate," James Harden, a "godly" figure who brings his own system and can transform a group of blue-collar players into wonders.
The two "gods" have finally met in good health. Perhaps Harden's long-awaited championship is really coming. After relentless pursuit of the championship, Harden has finally seen the dawn of hope. With his efforts, Harden has moved "God" and welcomed back a healthy Leonard. One brings his own system, the other is integrated in offense and defense, and this combination undoubtedly offers fans a vast imaginative space.
Harden's spring has finally arrived! This season, after Leonard's return, the Clippers remain in the top four in the West. The Clippers, who already had a strong defense, will see an even higher level of defense with the return of Leonard, a two-time DPOY. The Clippers' unstable offense will become more stable due to Leonard's ability to draw defenders. Playing alongside these two selfless superstars, it's believed that the scoring capabilities of Coffey, Powell, and Zubac will significantly improve.
Perhaps this is the value of a superstar, where the return of one player can qualitatively change the team!
Looking forward to future games against strong teams like the Celtics and Thunder, the Clippers are expected to prove their championship potential with impeccable abilities! The future Clippers are worth looking forward to!