Basketball

Perks Clippers gave to Kawhi Leonard, Paul George irritated teammates?


The 2019-20 season was a major disappointment for the Los Angeles Clippers, who were the betting favorite to win the NBA title before the campaign even began due to the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. 

As teams prepare for the start of the 2020-21 campaign, which is slated to begin later this month, more details about the Clippers’ massive derailment are continuing to surface. Apparently, one of the many reasons why things went wrong is because the Clippers gave preferential treatment to Leonard and George, which irritated the rest of the team, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Here are some of the perks Leonard and George received, outlined by Buha:

  • Both were the only players to have their own personal bodyguards and trainers. 
  • Both “had power over” the team’s practice and travel schedule. Teammates believed Leonard was the reason for multiple canceled practices.
  • Leonard was allowed to live in and commute from San Diego, making him late for team flights. 
  • Both didn’t speak to the media until at least 45 minutes after each game due to postgame treatments or workouts. Teammates spoke with the media first, becoming public voices for the team.
  • Teammates believed both players were able to choose when they played. Sometimes they sat out games entirely while other times they declined to play during games. 

If what Buha reports is true, the Clippers appear to be in some serious trouble. Not only does preferential treatment irk other players, but it causes some serious chemistry issues, which proved to be the demise of the 2019-20 squad. 

A majority of star players on other teams receive some sort of special treatment, though they’re held more accountable on and off the court. Players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, for instance, probably receive preferential treatment, but they make sure to prove themselves during games and in the treatment of their teammates.

Leonard and George only further proved that they aren’t capable of being team leaders. True kingpins don’t cancel practices, arrive late for team flights and certainly don’t choose when they play. It appears the Clippers gave both players a little too much power, and if it continues into the upcoming season, then things probably won’t turn out well in L.A. 





READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.