The Athletic: Kawhi Leonard expected to play in the season opener.

[HotRocks34]

[Eric Bieniemy]

Not long ago the best player in the world and still only 31 years old after a year of rest and recuperation.

I'd say he's primed for a great year.

[Reeko]

How lucky were the Raptors to get the 1 last good season of Kawhi? It's amazing how poorly his body has held up since he left Toronto.

He had access to arguably the best medical staff in the league, in one of the best organizations in the league. Had he stayed in Toronto, I don't think he would have dealt with all these injuries. In fact, when he was an FA after our championship run, I stated several times that I believed that if he went anywhere else he would be plagued with injuries because other teams wouldn't look after him the way the Raptors did.

Anyway, he's a great player and I hope he's healthy for the remainder of his career.

Wasn’t he limping the entire late season+playoffs with Toronto and playing in pain? I remember it being a topic on broadcasts. Not to say Toronto didn’t handle him better etc, but someone hitting your knee on a drive isn’t something good medical management can prevent.

Pretty sure he didn't start limping until the Bucks series (ECF).

[vulture]

Give me playoff kawhi when it really matters.

[Tor_Raps]

Oh wow... a guy who took 2 years off for an injury that people comeback after 6 to 9 months from is finally going to play... how heroic lol

2 years off? He got injured in the middle of the 2021 playoffs and didn’t have surgery until after the finals. So more like 14 months. Not that unusual for an ACL.

And just lol @ people coming back in 6 months from it. It never happens in basketball.

Kawhi got hurt in June 2021 and it's news that he's playing in October 2022. That's 16 months man. People comeback in half that timeline lol.

Whatever... it's great for basketball to have him on the court. Dude is a top 5 player when healthy so wish him the best while hoping the worst for the Clippers lol.

[Lalouie]

In a Q&A with Law Murray (Clippers beat writer) in the Athletic recently, reiterated that Kawhi is basically fully practicing now, and is expected to suit up from day one (which could include preseason and training camp). This is a topic because I’ve seen many posters mention that he will miss the beginning of this season probably.



He’s already been playing pickup with the guys, participating in recent practices. The last time we saw him play, he did this.



What version of Kawhi are you expecting this season?

assuming health is fine. he'll still be strong, unstoppable at the midrange, and D never leaves.
the game hasn't changed or passed him by and that is the main thing

[Wall_To_Clips]

2 years off? He got injured in the middle of the 2021 playoffs and didn’t have surgery until after the finals. So more like 14 months. Not that unusual for an ACL.

And just lol @ people coming back in 6 months from it. It never happens in basketball.

Kawhi got hurt in June 2021 and it's news that he's playing in October 2022. That's 16 months man. People comeback in half that timeline lol.

Whatever... it's great for basketball to have him on the court. Dude is a top 5 player when healthy so wish him the best while hoping the worst for the Clippers lol.

Do you remember that the Clippers played chicken with surgery though and waited until after the season? They kept trying to throw off Jazz and Suns with the idea that he would come back. Point being, it was really more like 14-15 from time of repair. Again, nothing unusual. Had the Clippers made a playoff run, I’m sure he may have come back.

Also why count this summer when nobody can play anyway?

August 11th 2021 was surgery date, Clippers were ousted in play in game April 15th 2022. That’s only 8 months post surgery to playable games… so within the timeline you expect.

[Lockdown504090]

Kawhi leonard is a shooting star. doesnt come around often, and not for long, but youll be damned if you miss it. The guys an all time talent... but his bones are as strong as robert sarver's morals.

[Slim Charlez]

How lucky were the Raptors to get the 1 last good season of Kawhi? It's amazing how poorly his body has held up since he left Toronto.

He had access to arguably the best medical staff in the league, in one of the best organizations in the league. Had he stayed in Toronto, I don't think he would have dealt with all these injuries. In fact, when he was an FA after our championship run, I stated several times that I believed that if he went anywhere else he would be plagued with injuries because other teams wouldn't look after him the way the Raptors did.

Anyway, he's a great player and I hope he's healthy for the remainder of his career.

Spurs diagnosed him with a chronic debilitating condition back in like 2016. Unless the raptors have some sort of magic wand doubt him staying in Toronto would've changed anything in that regard, it's not like the clippers don't have the resources to hire the best of the best when it comes to sports medicine, he's arguably in a top tier organization now and is still injury prone.

[Reeko]

How lucky were the Raptors to get the 1 last good season of Kawhi? It's amazing how poorly his body has held up since he left Toronto.

He had access to arguably the best medical staff in the league, in one of the best organizations in the league. Had he stayed in Toronto, I don't think he would have dealt with all these injuries. In fact, when he was an FA after our championship run, I stated several times that I believed that if he went anywhere else he would be plagued with injuries because other teams wouldn't look after him the way the Raptors did.

Anyway, he's a great player and I hope he's healthy for the remainder of his career.

Spurs diagnosed him with a chronic debilitating condition back in like 2016. Unless the raptors have some sort of magic wand doubt him staying in Toronto would've changed anything in that regard, it's not like the clippers don't have the resources to hire the best of the best when it comes to sports medicine, he's arguably in a top tier organization now and is still injury prone.

The Clippers full on stopped load managing him and he was back to playing a regular schedule, back to backs and all. I don't think the Raptors would have done that, nor do I believe they would have publicly pressured him to do so the way the Clippers did.

[TacoLord]

He had access to arguably the best medical staff in the league, in one of the best organizations in the league. Had he stayed in Toronto, I don't think he would have dealt with all these injuries. In fact, when he was an FA after our championship run, I stated several times that I believed that if he went anywhere else he would be plagued with injuries because other teams wouldn't look after him the way the Raptors did.

Anyway, he's a great player and I hope he's healthy for the remainder of his career.

Spurs diagnosed him with a chronic debilitating condition back in like 2016. Unless the raptors have some sort of magic wand doubt him staying in Toronto would've changed anything in that regard, it's not like the clippers don't have the resources to hire the best of the best when it comes to sports medicine, he's arguably in a top tier organization now and is still injury prone.

The Clippers full on stopped load managing him and he was back to playing a regular schedule, back to backs and all. I don't think the Raptors would have done that, nor do I believe they would have publicly pressured him to do so the way the Clippers did.

Well I hope for his sake, the next time his contract is up, he can find a big city with good doctors to help take care of him.

[JN61]

Get mild ache on his knees. Throws tantrum and misses 30 games. Rinse and repeat.

[PeteyPablo]

Any one bought or will be buying the Kawhi New Balance shoes ? They look pretty good. Almost like a Kobe shoe.

Also the Paul George shoe looks pretty good.

[God Squad]

Say what you want about Kawhi. But when he's healthy he's a problem for any player to solve.

[Wall_To_Clips]

He had access to arguably the best medical staff in the league, in one of the best organizations in the league. Had he stayed in Toronto, I don't think he would have dealt with all these injuries. In fact, when he was an FA after our championship run, I stated several times that I believed that if he went anywhere else he would be plagued with injuries because other teams wouldn't look after him the way the Raptors did.

Anyway, he's a great player and I hope he's healthy for the remainder of his career.

Spurs diagnosed him with a chronic debilitating condition back in like 2016. Unless the raptors have some sort of magic wand doubt him staying in Toronto would've changed anything in that regard, it's not like the clippers don't have the resources to hire the best of the best when it comes to sports medicine, he's arguably in a top tier organization now and is still injury prone.

The Clippers full on stopped load managing him and he was back to playing a regular schedule, back to backs and all. I don't think the Raptors would have done that, nor do I believe they would have publicly pressured him to do so the way the Clippers did.

What? He’s played barely any back to backs in a Clippers uniform.

[Uncle Mxy]

I'm glad to hear that Kawhi MIGHT play in at least one game this year.

Fixed.

[Reeko]

Spurs diagnosed him with a chronic debilitating condition back in like 2016. Unless the raptors have some sort of magic wand doubt him staying in Toronto would've changed anything in that regard, it's not like the clippers don't have the resources to hire the best of the best when it comes to sports medicine, he's arguably in a top tier organization now and is still injury prone.

The Clippers full on stopped load managing him and he was back to playing a regular schedule, back to backs and all. I don't think the Raptors would have done that, nor do I believe they would have publicly pressured him to do so the way the Clippers did.

What? He’s played barely any back to backs in a Clippers uniform.

In the '20-'21 season he played in 6 back to back games, so about half of them.

[Wall_To_Clips]

The Clippers full on stopped load managing him and he was back to playing a regular schedule, back to backs and all. I don't think the Raptors would have done that, nor do I believe they would have publicly pressured him to do so the way the Clippers did.

What? He’s played barely any back to backs in a Clippers uniform.

In the '20-'21 season he played in 6 back to back games, so about half of them.

He’s also been attacked mercilessly still for “load managing” all 3 years. He’s not carried the weight of a full time player at all.

Games
60 in 2019 with Toronto
57 in 2020 with LA
52 in 2021 with LA

I’m sure he played some B2B in LA due to missing more time to begin with. I vaguely remember him being out a while straight, so they decided to play him a few B2B. None of which contributes to Ingles taking out his ACL in an awkward knee to knee collision on a drive.

[Bologna Smasher]

If he stays healthy, I think the Clippers are going to win it all. That roster is completely stacked. Probably one of the best rosters of all time in terms of pure talent.

[TravisScott55]

Serious load management for him coming