Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers entered Saturday’s game against the LA Lakers on a five-game losing streak. They were +17.5 underdogs to the OKC Thunder, who rested some key players on Thursday, but still lost 122-101. Leonard and Co. have won just three times since November.
Lakers legend Robert Horry did not hold back in calling out the Lakers’ former nemesis on Saturday:
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“You can’t blame the coaching staff ‘cause coaching staff didn’t get rid of Ty Lue, you didn’t get rid of Norman Powell, so there’s a problem from… I guess you got to find more trees to cut down or something? There’s just so much going on over there!”
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Kawhi Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer grabbed headlines in the offseason for the wrong seasons. Investigative journalist Pablo Torre alleged that Ballmer circumvented the salary cap to keep Leonard by investing in a tree-planting company. Aspiration, the now-defunct former team sponsor, allegedly signed Leonard to a $28 million no-show job.
Ballmer denied the accusation in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne in September. The billionaire even urged the NBA to investigate the said report.
Kawhi Leonard did the same, telling the LA Times that the report was “inaccurate.”
The Clippers’ struggles, however, have kept the same issue on the surface. NBA analysts and fans often refer to it when they mention Leonard’s team. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley even mocked Leonard about having “two jobs.”
Kawhi Leonard is putting up impressive numbers, but Clippers are struggling
Heading into the showdown against the LA Lakers on Saturday, Kawhi Leonard is averaging 24.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He is hitting 48.9% of his shots, including 35.3% from deep. Leonard’s impressive numbers have not translated to wins for his team.
The Clippers average 110.9 ppg, the third-worst mark in the NBA. LA’s 112.8 offensive rating ranks No. 23 in the league.
Defensively, they have been just as bad. LA’s 118.9 defensive rating is 26th in the NBA. Last season, defense was its calling card, averaging 109.4 DRTG, the third best in the league.
Following their loss to the Thunder, the Clippers fell to 6-21, tying them with the Sacramento Kings for the worst record in the Western Conference.
Kawhi Leonard and his team aren’t escaping the trolling until they improve and salvage their season.
Edited by Michael Macasero
