Pierce’s controversial career advice to Kawhi has a kernel of truth

The Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round exit marked the most recent disappointment for a franchise that’s used to them. After buying all-stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George practically 4 years in the past, most anticipated them to be title contenders, however accidents have rapidly derailed these expectations. George missed your complete first spherical of this yr’s playoffs, whereas Leonard missed the ultimate three video games of their sequence towards the Phoenix Suns with a proper meniscus tear.

That was simply the most recent in a protracted historical past of accidents for Leonard, which has led to many questioning whether or not the Clippers can depend on him to be wholesome. Celtics legend Paul Pierce just lately weighed in on Leonard’s state of affairs. “If I had been him, I’d retire,” Pierce was quoted as saying.

Pierce has been recognized to say some questionable issues since his personal retirement, however even when Leonard doesn’t take his recommendation, there could also be some reality to what Pierce is saying. In spite of everything, Leonard has missed a staggering 25% of his video games since being drafted in 2011. Additionally, even regardless of the Clippers doing load administration with Leonard to attempt to maintain him wholesome for the playoffs, he nonetheless wasn’t out there after they wanted him essentially the most.

Clippers: Kawhi Leonard’s damage historical past may have an effect on the size of his profession.

Worse but, Leonard turns 32 this summer time, and the leg accidents, together with some probably continual or degenerative ones, counsel he most likely gained’t play into his mid-late 30s like Pierce did. With two years remaining on his contract, it’s honest to query whether or not he ought to proceed his profession if the identical accidents proceed to recur.

It’s additionally price mentioning that a few of Leonard’s recreation is based on his athleticism, which is able to wane as he ages, and the accidents gained’t assist. He’ll probably nonetheless have the ability to bully opposing wing defenders within the submit or make the most of a display screen to get a pull-up, however it may actually have an effect on him on the defensive finish.

Leonard is a two-way celebrity, however what occurs when he begins to slide on that finish of the ground? The reply is that his on-court worth drops. It’s questionable whether or not the Clippers or one other crew would signal him to a multi-year deal in the event that they couldn’t depend on him to play semi-consistently, and he isn’t the identical participant when he truly does.

In the end, Leonard seems extremely unlikely to take Pierce’s recommendation at this level in his profession. Even nonetheless, his damage observe file means that he could not have the identical longevity that we’ve seen from different stars.