First season in LA taught Kawhi Leonard the tough lessons he had to learn

Kawhi Leonard joined the LA Clippers to win a title, but a Game 7 loss was an eye-opening lesson in the steps he now knows he must take to get there.

Kawhi Leonard has always been protected.

The San Antonio Spurs were still powered by their historic big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili when Leonard was acquired in 2011. Their greatness allowed Kawhi’s own to grow at the steady pace it needed so as not to overpopulate a plate that could only handle so much early in his career.

Even while the trio’s dissipation coincided with Leonard’s rise to superstardom, legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich ensured Kawhi’s responsibilities were limited to what happened between the lines. The leadership responsibilities embraced by the Big Three fell onto Pop’s lap. It was in San Antonio’s best interests to maintain that hierarchy for its tranquil star.

The Toronto Raptors never demanded much of anything from Kawhi Leonard, simply overjoyed by the fantasies his presence manifested. He was the player they needed, but Kyle Lowry was the leader they had already come to rely on long before Kawhi arrived.

Superstars are expected to be leaders. It’s the role their talent nudges them into. It was only upon joining the LA Clippers when Kawhi finally felt the push.

Two All-Stars combining for just 24 points on 10-of-38 shooting gave the Denver Nuggets the edge they needed to pull off the shocking Game 7 victory. As did a lack of adjustments from Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

But the disappointing fate of LA’s season can be traced beyond those 48 minutes, attributed to the season-long manner in which Leonard responded to the new experience.

Several Clippers claimed supreme levels of confidence heading into the season. In a sense, they had every right. Added to a core coming off a surprising first-round fight were the reigning Finals MVP and a regular-season MVP finalist. LA boasted the stars, the depth and the coaching acumen, a checklist worth of title qualifications.

If only being the last team standing was that simple. Winning a championship requires cohesion amongst every piece of the puzzle. Knowing how to operate and thrive alongside others for the good of the team. That requires time only the 82-game regular season can offer.

Rivers and lead assistant Tyronn Lue can preach to that, both having climbed that mountain top with the jewelry to prove it. But there’s only so many times before a coach’s words are filtered out among every other principle they must impose on their players.

Resonating that point to the likes of Patrick Beverley, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams could only work if it came from a fellow peer, and LA only boasts one such player on its roster who could do so.

Though hardly one for a mouthful, Kawhi could’ve given them the full rundown. It was always going to be the actions of LA’s leader that did the talking. The actions that resulted in purposely sitting out 15 games for load management sent the wrong message to those who needed the right one.

The regular season LA needed to come together was tossed aside. Practices were non-existent. The complementary pieces who needed to learn to mesh alongside both Kawhi and Paul George rarely got the chance. They were lead to believe they were good enough without ever having to show it.

A two-time Finals MVP could afford to look ahead to the postseason under the right circumstances. Toronto had been hardened by consistent playoff shortcomings in the years before Leonard’s arrival. They were not ones to take lightly the task at hand, not a single step.

Across the numerous moments when it came time to teach the Clippers that same lesson, Kawhi remained quiet. He always has, but his teammates needed a voice only he could provide. When it came time to lend it, nothing came out.

San Antonio and Toronto allowed Leonard to keep his focus tight. Choosing the Clippers meant going home to a team with all the pieces needed to compete at the highest level while sacrificing the comfort he’d previously been given.

The opportunity for redemption will come whenever the 2020-21 season begins. When that time arrives, the task will fall to Kawhi Leonard to set an example that ensures the journey to a title is given the respect it commands.

He may not yet be comfortable toughing out back-to-backs or leading with vocals instead of buckets. Having bent the Clippers to get all he currently has, it’s a responsibility he can no longer avoid.