A new season of sports
180 Club" has always been one of the NBA's criteria for judging whether a player can reach a superstar, and in the last 30 games, Leonard has averaged 25 per game6 points 64 rebounds 17 steals, and the most terrifying thing is that he shot 56% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 92% from the free throw line, and his overall efficiency entered the "190 Club". Being able to play such an efficient performance also made Leonard a shortlist for MVP.
The arrival of Harden has improved the strength of the Clippers, especially his tandem on the offensive end, which is regarded as the key to the rise of the Clippers. But in terms of practical role, Leonard is still the most critical link of the Clippers. When Leonard is on the floor, the Clippers' offensive efficiency reaches 1155. The defensive efficiency is 1075. Win your opponent by 8 points per 100 rounds. When Leonard wasn't on the floor, the Clippers' offensive efficiency was just 1094. The defensive efficiency is 1161. Net loss to opponents per 100 rounds 67 points.
Since the Clippers acquired Leonard, they have seen him as the key to the team's rise, and have established Leonard as the absolute core of the team, and Ballmer has repeatedly offered Leonard big contracts. It's just that due to injuries, Leonard will always be absent at critical moments, and in his four seasons with the Clippers, Leonard has not played an eye-catching performance in the playoffs, and the Clippers have only reached the Western Conference Finals once after three playoff games in these four seasons.
Therefore, Leonard's presence is one of the reasons why it really helps the Clippers. Harden's passing can certainly make the Clippers' tactics more successful, but without Leonard's finishing ability in the final moments, Harden's passing will not be of much effect. Since the start of this season, Leonard's health has been maintained very well, and it is precisely because Leonard can lead the team in the best condition that the Clippers have achieved good results today.
In fact, as early as the beginning of the season, Leonard had not quickly entered the state, but as the schedule deepened, Leonard began to adjust his style of play. At the beginning of the game, Leonard will preemptively score individual points in order to get into the offensive mode as quickly as possible, and when the Clippers enter the rotation time, Leonard will have enough fitness to hold on until the main players return to the court. It is precisely because of Leonard's initiative that the Clippers' record has improved.
Leonard's state will not only affect the tactical rotation of the Clippers' entire team, but will also have a big impact on the state of the Big Four. When Leonard is on the floor, the Clippers outnet 14 per 100 possessions1 point, and Harden, George and Westbrook are also in very good shape. Leonard has been seen as the core of the team since he came to the Clippers, and now he finally has a core to look like.
The Clippers agreed to a three-year deal with Leonard some time agoThe $5.2 billion contract extension is obviously a guarantee for the team's future, and it also gives Leonard a reassurance. With the team's trust, Leonard will naturally go all out, and his good form can not only lead the Clippers to a better place, but also make the Clippers' big contract more and more valuable.