In order to acquire two All-Star talents in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers had to break up part of their 2018-19 team, one that lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors in six games but finished with 48 games on a rather star-less squad.
At the Clippers' annual media day on Sunday, the new Clipper Leonard called last year's team a “brotherhood,” per ClutchPoints' Tomer Azarly on Twitter.
“Last year, it seemed like they were a brotherhood on the floor together. They played with each other, they made sacrifices, they also have coach Doc Rivers.”
"Last year, it seemed like they were a brotherhood on the floor together. They played with each other, they made sacrifices, they also have coach Doc Rivers."
Kawhi Leonard on what he saw from the #Clippers last season.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 29, 2019
The 57-year-old head coach Doc Rivers has led the franchise since the 2013-14 season but arguably did the most coaching job during last season, as the Clippers finished 48-34. The roster was talented; however, it certainly was devoid of any true star, unlike this upcoming season's team, which will be headlined by George and Leonard, the latter of whom spent the past season winning the Larry O'Brien trophy with the Eastern Conference's Toronto Raptors.
In order to sign Leonard and trade for his All-Star pal George, the Clips had to send the Oklahoma City Thunder multiple picks alongside young, promising guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, L.A.'s 2018 lottery selection, and forward Danilo Gallinari. Nevertheless, Rivers and company were able to re-sign stout perimeter defender in veteran guard Patrick Beverley plus they'll have returning young big men in Ivica Zubac and Montrezl Harrell.
Leonard and the new-look Clippers hope the continue the tradition and loyalty of last year's “brotherhood.”
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