While certainly one can call this a hit piece, the realities are not erased because of that. What are going to be the challenges for Lue this season with taking control of his roster? What should the team from top down do to address the way Kawhi is essentially controlling them and getting whatever he wants?
“How do you ever build a strong team with that [expletive] going on?” one team source said. “I thought from the beginning, ‘We’re doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment.’”
According to multiple sources, the Clippers have Leonard and George perks to the level to compromise the standard of culture they had built over the previous two seasons.
Leonard and George had power over the team’s practice and travel schedule, leading teammates to believe Leonard canceled multiple practices.
Leonard was allowed to live in San Diego and commute from there, which made him late for team flights.
While many of the Clippers had a level of acceptance for Leonard's preferential treatment as a two-time Finals MVP, sources say the benefits George received was more of an issue. There was a sentiment among certain teammates of, “What have you accomplished in the playoffs?” multiple league sources said.
Leonard and George didn't bond with their teammates, which could have helped the situation. Leonard oftentimes was hanging out with close friend and Clippers assistant coach Jeremy Castleberry. George mostly stuck with Reggie Jackson and Patrick Patterson.
The Clippers hired Tyronn Lue, at least in part, due to his ability to hold star players accountable. Sources say Lue will look to push Leonard and George to forgo certain requests or standards to set an example for their teammates.
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/260674/Tyronn-Lue-To-Push-Kawhi-Leonard-Paul-George-To-Forgo-Certain-Preferential-Treatment
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the team’s training staff would create a private space for Leonard to do his pre-game routine prior to every Clippers game. He also often occupied the female staffers’ locker room during road games and sometimes during double-headers in the Staples Center last season. Several players and staffers were reportedly knowledgeable about the situation which ultimately caused uneasiness within the team.
Many people around the league felt that the Clippers also had no choice but to oblige to the four-time All-Star’s many demands.
“What were they going to do about it?” one league source said. “It’s Kawhi.”
The off-court issues seemed to be negligible for others but it eventually translated to the team’s dynamics and performance on the court. After having high expectations set around the Clippers due to their stacked roster, the team ultimately disappointed as they fell short in their bid for a deep playoff run last season
https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-kawhi-leonards-pregame-privacy-request-caused-uneasiness-in-locker-room/
Original Article:
https://theathletic.com/2222210/2020/12/02/kawhi-clippers-chemistry-nba-title/
