The Clippers ran their nerves on unanswered Mavericks yesterday (154-111), facing the resurrection by Paul George. Still, the salty result was not enough to appease a visibly frustrated Kawhi Leonard. The proof, he set Reggie Jackson on fire after a badly managed possession… An unusual reaction to say the least.
The Clippers were no doubt stung in their pride after the Mavericks equalized in the series. More than the fact of being tied, it is especially the way that must have annoyed the men of Doc Rivers. While they are favorites for the title, they left a player in his second season defeats them to the buzzer, even as he played without his best sidekick.
So last night, in this crucial Game 5 for the rest of this series, Los Angeles sent a strong message: when Kawhi Leonard and others manage to impose their rhythm, they are unplayable. The proof, after taking the advantage in the middle of the 1st quarter, the Clippers were no longer in danger.
But despite the river score and Paul George’s redemption, Kawhi Leonard found a way to be frustrated during the meeting. After a magnificent interception on the giant Boban Marjanovic, of which only he is capable, “The Klaw” launches Reggie Jackson… who does not succeed in concluding this fantastic sequence. What did not please the MVP of the reigning Finals at all.
This steal by Kawhi is insane… pic.twitter.com/MhTIc7gJgB
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 26, 2020
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Kawhi gets the unbelievable steal, and then passes to Reggie Jackson who misses the shot
Kawhi walking to the bench at the end of the quarter; “I didn’t give up the ball for that sh*t.”
???????????? pic.twitter.com/uLo1a0JcM5
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 26, 2020
“I didn’t give you the ball for you to do this shit to me!” “
This has the merit of being clear: Kawhi sometimes regrets giving his ball to his teammates. Still, Reggie Jackson wasn’t bad yesterday, with 11 points (4/7 shooting) and 5 assists in just 21 minutes. But this failure was obviously one too many for the Clippers superstar.
It’s hard to know if “The Klaw” was funny, or if he was really frustrated by the situation. The match was already folded at the time of the facts, so he could have tried a little joke … But his head does not show the slightest grin.
Kahi Leonard is truly a player apart. Even in his hot reactions, he seems light years away from other league superstars.
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