Amidst the excitement surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeff Teague, a retired NBA player turned podcaster, has offered a counterpoint, focusing on the Los Angeles Clippers. Teague believes the Clips possess a duo that rivals, and perhaps surpasses, the perceived dominance of the Lakers’ pairing.
Teague specifically highlights Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, suggesting they present a stiffer playoff challenge. “I like that duo (Harden and Kawhi) beating Bron and Luka. Bron’s 50! Kawhi can guard Luka. James and Luka cancel each other out. Obviously, Luka is better because he’s younger and can do more. They can get you similar stats… Playoff Kawhi vs. 40-year-old LeBron? I’m rolling with Kawhi,” Teague stated on the Club 520 podcast.
Los Angeles Clippers Reliant On A Healthy Kawhi Leonard
A significant factor in evaluating the Clippers’ potential, as Teague acknowledges, is Leonard’s health. “The major caveat with Leonard, as is usually the case, is his health. He hasn’t completed an entire playoff run in four years, but when healthy, Leonard, especially this season, looks as though he can lead the Clippers to a deep playoff run.” Leonard’s ability to remain healthy throughout a playoff run is crucial to the Clippers’ success.
While many may favor the Lakers’ star pairing, Teague’s perspective has merit. “While many fans will be pushing back against this take from Teague, this should not be considered as an asinine opinion in any capacity. Many would still take the Lakers’ star duo since they carry with them far fewer risks than the Clippers pair, but at their best, this at least warrants a serious discussion.” Their potential, when at full strength, certainly warrants consideration in the playoff landscape.
The Clippers’ chances in the playoffs heavily depend on Leonard’s health. A recurring concern is that despite his exceptional talent, highlighted by his career averages of 20.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, Leonard has struggled to complete a full playoff run in the past four years. His injury history, which includes a torn ACL and meniscus issues, contributes significantly to this uncertainty.
While some analysts and fans might favor other star duos with more consistent health records, their potential shouldn’t be underestimated. Even though pairings like the Lakers’ duo may seem less risky, a serious discussion is warranted about which duo is truly the best when both are performing at their peak. Leonard’s contributions, such as his 49.9% career field goal percentage and 1.6 steals per game, demonstrate his significant impact on the court, making the Clippers strong contenders when he’s healthy.