Clippers’ Title Hopes Shattered by Kawhi’s Demands
Insider Claims Superstar’s “Diva Behavior” Undermined 2020 Championship Bid
When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George arrived in Los Angeles in 2019, the Clippers were poised for greatness. However, whispers from within the organization suggest a star’s excessive demands derailed their championship aspirations.
A Foundation Built on Unease
The fanfare surrounding the arrivals of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George signaled a new era for the Clippers. Bolstered by a strong supporting cast including Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams, alongside championship-winning coach Doc Rivers, the team was built with title contention as the sole objective.
By January 2020, the Clippers held a respectable 31–14 record, but underlying tensions were already surfacing. Leonard‘s “load management” strategy, which included sitting out back-to-back games, and George‘s injury absences contributed to a lack of continuity.
“How do you ever build a strong team with that s— going on? I thought from the beginning, ‘We’re doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment.’”
—An Anonymous Team Source
Reports indicated that Leonard requested personal space away from teammates before games, a move that reportedly created friction. One beat reporter noted this request as a significant indicator of the team’s internal issues and preferential treatment.
Further complicating matters, Leonard‘s residence in San Diego often led to him being late for team flights. Both stars reportedly influenced scheduling, rest days, and even practice regimens, alienating role players who felt marginalized.
Collapse in the Bubble
Entering the NBA bubble in Orlando, the Clippers struggled to find their rhythm. Leonard and George had played only 37 regular-season games together. Amidst personal emergencies and COVID-19 related absences for other key players, the team still managed to advance past the Dallas Mavericks.
Their playoff run, however, ended in a stunning collapse against the Denver Nuggets. Despite holding a 3–1 series lead and multiple double-digit advantages in Games 5, 6, and 7, the Clippers lost all three, ultimately falling in Game 7 with a dismal 33 second-half points. Both Leonard and George struggled mightily in the decisive game.
“I think a lot of the issues that we ran into, talent bailed us out. Chemistry, it didn’t. In this series, it failed us.”
—Lou Williams
The team’s inability to convert talent into consistent performance highlighted a deeper issue: a lack of cohesion and shared belief. This outcome led to coaching changes and player departures, leaving the Clippers to regroup under new leadership, forever haunted by the what-ifs of that season.
The franchise’s gamble on assembling superstars without fostering a strong, unified culture proved to be a critical miscalculation. In a league where chemistry and trust are paramount, the Clippers prioritized individual accommodation over collective synergy, a decision that ultimately cost them a championship.