‘Stronger’ Kawhi Leonard prepared to begin coaching camp with remainder of LA Clippers this week

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard stated he “undoubtedly obtained rather a lot stronger” after a season off and is able to begin coaching camp when the LA Clippers open observe on Tuesday.

In his first feedback since media day previous to final season, Leonard stated he’s good to go for camp — which opens in Las Vegas — after lacking all of final season as a result of a torn proper ACL.

“Plan is tomorrow to begin coaching camp,” Leonard stated at Clippers media day earlier than the group flew to Las Vegas. “For me individually, I will be taking part in coaching camp. Then from there, simply seeing how my development is, how I really feel, what I am not feeling, is it transferring accurately, and simply hold going from there, simply progressively increase.

“However proper now, I really feel good, and the plan is to begin camp and play.”

Leonard is cleared to totally take part however the Clippers might be cautious with their franchise star, who hasn’t performed since tearing his proper ACL in Recreation 4 of the second spherical in opposition to the Utah Jazz on June 14, 2021.

“I really feel stronger, for positive,” Leonard stated. “It has been, what, 14, 15 months of no basketball — properly, enjoying in an NBA season for me, no basketball. That complete 13, 14-month course of is simply lifting weights and getting stronger. I undoubtedly obtained rather a lot stronger.”

The 2-time NBA Finals MVP stated he is not positive how totally different of a participant he might be as soon as he returns to the courtroom.

“Proper now I really feel good in my exercises, weightlifting,” Leonard stated. “I do not really feel like I’ve a unconscious thoughts of not leaping off my leg per se. I really feel good. We’ll simply see how the season goes.

“And might’t actually inform you how that is going to work out.”

The Clippers have assembled maybe the deepest group within the NBA. Head coach Ty Lue might go 11 to 12 gamers deep on his roster, which is loaded with interchangeable veteran wings that may play each methods. And there are championship expectations on the Clippers and proprietor Steve Ballmer, who was strolling across the group facility at media day on Monday.

Along with Leonard and star guard Paul George, the Clippers have Norman Powell, John Wall, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac, Nic Batum, Terance Mann, Robert Covington and Luke Kennard.

“I feel actually that mindset of Workforce USA,” George stated of how the Clippers would possibly strategy utilizing their depth. “You are taking the most effective guys, and naturally everyone is nice they usually’re all on groups, everyone is the star of their very own groups. However if you put us all collectively, it is how do I make you higher now and the way do I shine with this setting.”

” … It needs to be a variety of enjoyable with this group,” George added. “And needs to be a variety of good nights being a Clipper fan.”

Lue stated he didn’t know but precisely how a lot Leonard will observe or play within the preseason however that it was good to know that he’s feeling good once more and the group will take heed to how Leonard is feeling every day.

Leonard says he is able to get again on the courtroom, one thing he thinks probably might have occurred late final season if the Clippers had gone deep into the postseason. Leonard laughed after entertaining that notion. The Clippers, although, did not make it out of the play-in match.

“I imply, it is all woulda, coulda, shoulda proper?” Leonard stated when requested if he might have returned had the Clippers made the postseason. “However yeah, if they’d have made it to The Finals final yr, you’ll have seen me enjoying.”