The LA Clippers will be desperate for their star Kawhi Leonard to make his return, but one former NBA star has questioned his potential impact.
Currently on a two-game losing streak, the Clippers need a boost and Leonard could be that guy.
After defeats to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets, the Clippers record has slipped to 14-11 in the Western Conference.
Kawhi has yet to play a game this season and teammate Norman Powell can’t wait for Leonard’s much-anticipated return.
Clippers coach Ty Lue explained how Kawhi has been close to tears over his injuries, fans will be hoping that means he comes back with fire in his belly.
Leonard’s quality is undoubted but Chandler Parsons has warned the Clippers fans against high expectations.
At his best Kawhi is one of the best players in the NBA. His coach Ty Lue recently explained how Leonard ‘when healthy’ is a ‘top-five talent’.
The key here is that he struggles to get on the court due to the number of injury issues he has faced in recent years and Parsons worries about his return.
Speaking on Fan Duel’s Run It Back, Parsons said: “Is it fair to put expectations on Kawhi Leonard to come back to that level? I look at him like a Khris Middleton, what’s the most we can get out of him when he’s back?
“Are we just going to give him the ball and tell him to get 40? I don’t think that’s the same Kawhi Leonard that’s going to show up.”
Coach Lue recently had to defend his decision to keep Kawhi and trade Paul George.
Speaking about whether he thinks Leonard’s return will help the Clippers Parsons was pretty unanimous in his thoughts.
He said: “I do think he helps, he makes them better obviously, it’s Kawhi Leonard I’m talking about, a generational talent, but how long can he stay healthy? How’s he going to move?”.
For now, the Clippers will just be thinking about ending their losing run, but long-term can Leonard help this side reach the top four in the Western Conference?
If Leonard can return to his best form, which in his first season with the Clippers saw him average 27.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists, then there is every chance.
However, Parsons explained how Kris Middleton’s return for Milwaukee made him worry about Leonard ever finding his All-Star form again.
Parsons said: “When I watched Kris Middleton the other day it didn’t make me very hopeful that he would return to that All-Star form. When you take this much time out it hurts and it does take a lot of time to get back to that.
“I don’t know what a fair expectation is to put on Kawhi at this point.”
Clippers fans will certainly be hoping that Leonard can prove Parsons wrong and hit the ground running when he eventually returns.
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