It’s rare, and it definitely matters. The two Western Conference finalists, the Suns and the Clippers, are currently both deprived of their leader. On the one hand, it is Chris Paul, put in solitary confinement because positive for Covid-19. On the other is Kawhi Leonard, hit in the knee, the severity of the injury is not yet known.
And if the impact of Chris Paul, despite his absence, remains strong, as the players explained after the victory in Game 1, that of Kawhi Leonard is not to be neglected either. The proof, in Game 6 against Jazz, the MVP of the 2014 and 2019 Finals was close to the coaches.
“He came into the coaches’ office to talk about strategies and find out how we were going to play,” tells Tyronn Lue at the Los Angeles Times. “How we were going to start, how we were going to defend, and others…”
The All-Star winger, who has missed the last three games, is according to his teammates and coaches ” very implicated “ although he remained in Los Angeles as the Clippers flew to Phoenix.
“He is a big brother, a leader, who always has confidence in this team”, liste Reggie Jackson. “We know what he is going through, he is doing his best to come back. His spirit is with us, he speaks, he is with the team. He makes sure we’re okay. He does everything possible to continue to have an impact on the group while he is no longer on the floor. »
An attitude that confirms what Serge Ibaka had noticed, also absent because of a back injury, at the start of the season. The former Toronto insider, who won the title with ‘The Klaw’ in Canada, wanted to see his teammate fully assume his leadership role and he observed that Kawhi Leonard “communicated with everyone”.
“He is still active, talking to the team”, notes for his part DeMarcus Cousins. “He offers his expertise and gives advice, indications to the guys who have been forced to replace him. He is still our leader and he uses his voice. It’s obvious he’s in bad shape, but he’s involved as much as possible. »
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