2024-03-25 13:07:30
Kawhi Leonard has proven that as long as he can play healthy, he can still be a top offensive and defensive first-line star. Even compared to the diverse skill sets of modern forwards, Kawhi’s style of play is a little exaggerated and can be described as “boring”. His movements are not very flashy, and you can even feel that his offensive comfort zone is relatively narrow, just in that specific area. Inside, Kawhi is nearly invincible.
This season is the first time since 2020 that Kawhi is fully healthy to start the season. There is no longer any load management or time constraints, and he can finally show his strength without any worries. However, even Kawhi, who is regarded as a robot, needs time to “heat up”. His average performance in the first two months of the season was quite satisfactory. A closer look at the data and actual observation can reveal that in the past, Kawhi’s best mid-range jumper almost failed. The shooting percentages in October and November were only 27.3% and 34.9%. Part of this may be attributed to the running-in with James Harden, but more of it is due to the inability to find a good shot in the gap. However, once the robot is warmed up, there will be a stable and uninterrupted goal scoring scene.
Kawhi Leonard (41 PTS) COOKED all night to lead the Clips to a W 😤
41 PTS / 6-8 3PM / 5 REB / 5 AST pic.twitter.com/t7o1oFaDSK
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2023
It’s December and the ruthless +2 robot is back! Not only did his mid-range accuracy reach 50%, but his monthly average reached 29.3 points, with a god-level shooting percentage of 61.3% (shooting), 50% (three-pointers), and 95.7% (free throws). He missed a few sporadic games, but played in 9 games in this month. The Clippers never lost a single game. During the following period, the team’s record soared, starting with a collapse of 3 wins and 7 losses. “Capture the leader of the Western District.
How good is Kawhi this season? He averaged only 23.8 points per game this season, which may not seem outstanding at first glance, but his efficiency is surprisingly high. The shooting percentage reached the 180 club, and the effective shooting percentage (58.9%) and true shooting percentage (63.1%) both hit career highs. He also had the best singles efficiency in the league, averaging 1.2 points per possession. The stable shooting mechanism means that defenders will be immediately punished from the outside once they get away from Kawhi. However, even if he is faced with a head-on attack, he can still use his excellent basic skills and thick body to create an offensive path straight to the basket.
Extended reading: How far can Paul George, who has turned into a top shooter and released the ball, take the Clippers this time?
Just like with Paul George, when talking regarding Kawhi’s high efficiency this season, it must be talked regarding the ball-handling effect brought by Harden. In the past, the Clippers did not have a core ball handler, so two stars took turns to share the organizational work. Therefore, following coming to the Clippers, Kawhi’s time as a playmaker increased significantly, and his average assists per game reached a maximum of 5.2. However, compared to George, Kawhi actually The functionality on the offensive end is relatively simple, and he does not have enough flexible ball-holding ability. In many cases, he forces himself into a shooting rhythm and position that he is not used to.
However, Kawhi’s average touches dropped to 53.4 times per game this season, the lowest number since 2015-16 (excluding only nine games in 2017-18), his turnover rate dropped to the third lowest in his career, and his assist rate was as high as 47%, this number is the sixth highest of his career, but the top five are all data before 2016, when Kawhi had not yet become a star player. In addition, in terms of offensive style, Kawhi’s proportion of pick-and-roll offense has dropped significantly, and has increased to fixed-point jumpers and empty-handed cuts.
Like the shot below, when the Clippers have Harden as their dealer, they can take fuller advantage of their star attraction. For example, Ty Lue has designed a large number of cross screens for Kawhi and PG this season, allowing the two superstars to set up screens as substitutes without the ball, and then pairing them with other players suitable for support, making it easier for defenders to fall into chaos.
Kawhi Leonard has been on a run, how the Clippers have used him has been key. Cross screens for PG who catches in the post. Real play is Zubac setting a pindown in the middle of the paint for Kawhi. Movement + getting it to him in his spots. pic.twitter.com/gGVIcevkNQ
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) December 17, 2023
In the past, Kawhi’s most impressive signature was his mid-range jump shot of regarding 15-24 feet, but this season is a little different. It is also a jump shot, but one step closer to the penalty area. The proportion of shots within the penalty area has increased significantly. As of March 24th, of the 1,069 shots taken this season, 513 were in the penalty area, and only 242 were in the mid-range. The proportions show that they are 47% and 22% respectively, compared to 2018 -19 was 43% and 29% when the Raptors won the championship, and 34% and 35% in the 2016-17 season when the Spurs were at their peak. At the same time, Kawhi is also adapting to the modern style of play, taking a step back from mid- to long-range two-pointers and turning them into three-pointers.
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