Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard had a close relationship with Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Leonard, who grew up in California, told Clippers reporters on Wednesday he spoke with Bryant last season right after winning the championship with the Toronto Raptors:
Kawhi Leonard on Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant – “It’s hard to think of the conversations we’ve had together summed up in one sentence. I’m a guy that talked to Kobe last year before the season and right after we won in the locker room.”#Clippers #Raptors pic.twitter.com/wj62yiFPLg
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 29, 2020
When Kyrie Irving won the 2016 championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he FaceTimed Bryant from his locker. That’s just one anecdote detailing how much Bryant meant to Irving and all players.
It's not a stretch to say Leonard is going to dedicate the rest of his season to Kobe. Even though Leonard is playing for the Clippers and not the Lakers, he's still a California kid at heart who wants to play the right way and honor Bryant.
Leonard has appeared in 36 games this season for the Clippers. He's averaging 27.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 88.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Kawhi and the Clippers are already 2-0 against the Lakers this season. Leonard has dominated Lakers superstar LeBron James in the first two matchups this season. The 2014 and 2019 Finals MVP is averaging 32.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists versus the Lakers while shooting 55.3 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from beyond the arc and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Round 3 between the Clippers and Lakers was supposed to happen on Tuesday, but Kobe Bryant's tragic death resulted in a postponement. The game has not yet been rescheduled.
Follow Us
Subscribe