Clippers see a much more involved and vocal Kawhi Leonard

As much as any person on the Clippers, Norman Powell has a distinctive point of view on how Kawhi Leonard has developed as a crew chief.

The two were being teammates on the Toronto Raptors, offering Powell a look at into how Leonard has altered from a player who is a willing talker with the Clippers and how he has revealed his “personality” in methods couple noticed ahead of. Leonard’s abilities had been in no way questioned, his potential to lead the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship the proof.

Now Leonard, who also led San Antonio to the 2014 title, is main as substantially with his voice as his get the job done ethic.

“Yeah, I definitely see a distinctive Kawhi out there — personality-intelligent, laughing additional, experiencing just being out listed here and the moments that we have as a crew coming alongside one another,” Powell claimed just before the Clippers practiced Saturday. “You definitely see extra interaction, him conversing to everybody. Not to say that he wasn’t in Toronto, but you surely see some pleasure in him when he ways on the floor and interacts with the men working day in and day out. So, it is certainly superior.”

Clippers mentor Ty Lue proposed that Leonard is “excited” to be back again participating in and all over his teammates right after not actively playing in an NBA sport because June 2021 whilst the star ahead recovered from a knee harm.

When the team convened for camp in Las Vegas, the Clippers promptly found a distinct Leonard.

Lue said Leonard is a “quiet man by nature,” but when he speaks, “everyone listens.”

“I believe currently being fired up to be back again,” Lue explained. “Just acquiring a even bigger voice, I know he does it all by displaying fellas doing the job out early, to start with 1 listed here, last just one to depart. Just having a voice and displaying these guys, like in the scrimmage the other working day at USC [on Thursday], [guys] started off out messing all around and he pulled the fellas in and claimed, ‘let’s enjoy for actual and let us tighten it up,’ and men started enjoying much more critical.

“I never consider he would have performed that two or a few years back. I think with him and PG [Paul George] just having the biggest voices on the team and recognizing that this is their workforce, he’s absolutely taken substantial ways in that regard.”

Lue stated Leonard will participate in in Sunday’s preseason activity from the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.

“I know he needs to get a large amount of reps in simply because he has not performed in 15 months,” Lue claimed. “So, he wishes to get a great deal of reps in, participate in as substantially as he can. So that is why every single working day in apply, we’ve been scrimmaging a good deal, just participating in. Just seeking to permit him get his rhythm.”

Powell reported possessing Leonard speak to the youthful players and clarify points will help to “build assurance in the crew.”

When Leonard allows Lue to coach him as tricky as every person else, Powell said it’s a superior signal that the ideal player is ready to pay attention.

“When T-Lue’s telling him to do the drill in excess of once again, various posture, ‘Nah Kawhi, you messed up,’” Powell stated, “those are matters that feed a staff with out even owning to actually sit down and give motivational speeches and say like, ‘OK, Kawhi is executing this, so enable me action my video game up as well.’ You see him interacting additional and smiling. So, it is surely good to see.”

Etc.

Marcus Morris Sr. was again at observe Saturday after becoming away for the delivery of his baby. Lue claimed Morris is “supposed to play” towards the Timberwolves. Lue mentioned Terance Mann (ankle) and Amir Coffey (neck) also will perform, but that Luke Kennard (ankle) and Jason Preston (groin) will be re-evaluated right after exercise Saturday to determine if they will perform.