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Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard put on a show in a 108-95 Game 1 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring a career playoff high 45 points. CJ McCollum had something to say.
As Leonard was putting together his masterpiece performance, McCollum — the Portland Trail Blazers' guard — could not help but see the similarities of Kawhi's mid-range game to one Michael Jeffrey Jordan:
He really got MJ mid range with a 3 ball and handle 🤣
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) April 28, 2019
Longtime veteran and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins chimed in and said that people laughed at him for saying this last week.
CJ McCollum agreed with Big Perk's assessment and even said that Leonard had a better handle than MJ.
I seen what you said . My bro sent me old mj footage from 97. You were right OG. Klaw handle better tho and better 3 ball : https://t.co/KsfUQgHYNj https://t.co/LEKxjTTTfg
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) April 28, 2019
That's a heap of praise from the Blazers guard and the 14-year veteran, and they may be right. Leonard is probably the most deadly mid-range scorer in the game today and a superior lockdown defender, just like Mike was back in the day.
Leonard showed that Saturday night. He was simply spectacular for the Raptors in Game 1. For most of the night, Kawhi was able to get to his spots inside the arc and scored on several mid-range pull-ups and turnaround jumpers in the post, a la MJ. He dissected the Sixers' defense in a variety of ways despite seeing different defenders throughout the night.
The former Finals MVP torched the Sixers from the field, shooting 16 of 23, including three 3-pointers. He also made 10 of his 11 trips from the charity stripe en route to his career playoff night.
More importantly, the Raptors, which usually flame out in Game 1s, drilled the Sixers in the series opener, led by Leonard's leadership on both sides of the ball.
As for McCollum, who is a great mid-range scorer in his own right, he is waiting to see if the Blazers will face either the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs. The winner of that series will face the Blazers in the second round.
