LeBron James has been criticized for load management in the past. Now Kawhi Leonard is in the spotlight. Is there a double standard for LeBron James? Lake Show Life goes in-depth to see if there are two sets of rules for the two superstars?
The Laker Nation is known to use the word “hater” when it comes to anything negative attached to the Los Angeles Lakers or LeBron James. Lake Show Life has been accused of “hating” a time or two over LeBron James’ first season in the purple and gold.
When Kawhi Leonard spurned the Lakers to go across the hall with his partner in crime, Paul George, most thought that LeBron James’ chances of bringing home a title were over.
Never mind the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers got a superstar of their own in Anthony Davis. When Lake Show Life compared the Lakers/Clippers rivalry, it was not about the teams. This comparison was about the two superstars, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James.
All NBA eyes will be in Los Angeles this season to see who the “King” of L.A. is at the end of the season. Up until last week, the last sentence seemed like a cliché. Well, read on see if that’s still the case.
Leonard was rested for the second time this season on a back to back against the Milwaukee Bucks. The game would have rivaled the opening night game between the Lakers and the Clippers.
The two major superstars facing each other? How about the reigning regular-season MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo up against the Finals MVP in Leonard? To say the decision to rest Kawhi ruffled a few feathers is almost tongue in cheek, to say the least.
ESPN’s Doris Burke made some strongly opinionated remarks about the Clippers’ decision to rest Kawhi Leonard for last Wednesday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on the Golic and Wingo show.
“Kawhi not playing is ridiculous at this point.”
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) November 6, 2019
-@heydb on Kawhi Leonard sitting out his second nationally televised game this season due to “load management.” pic.twitter.com/d6EGlFAuDO
The Clippers’ decision to rest Kawhi on the front end of a back-to-back set should come as no surprise. Load management is becoming more and more prevalent for players who have dealt with recent injuries, and Leonard falls into that category.
The problem was when wires got crossed with the message about resting Leonard afterward. Before the game, the NBA was confident that Kawhi Leonard was held out under the guidelines of the rest management rules. Here’s the statement courtesy of ESPN.
"“Kawhi Leonard is not a healthy player under the league’s resting policy and, as such, is listed as managing a knee injury in the LA Clippers’ injury report. The league office, in consultation with the NBA’s director of sports medicine, is comfortable with the team medical staff’s determination that Leonard is not sufficiently healthy to play in back-to-back games at this time.”"
Then Doc Rivers speaks about Kawhi Leonard stating that he “feels great.” The NBA quickly fined the Clippers $50,000 over the comments. What once was a debate is starting to become the NBA’s next PR nightmare. The NBA breaks down the reason for the penalty via ESPN.
"“Following additional review of the LA Clippers not playing Kawhi Leonard in last night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA has confirmed that the team’s decision to sit Leonard for management of an injury was consistent with league rules,”"
Doc Rivers is no stranger to getting “Magic Johnson” treatment for being fined over Kawhi Leonard. Remember he was penalized for comparisons of his star player to Michael Jordan before he was signed.
The fine over the comparisons probably was unfair, but this one is an issue.
Leonard is no stranger to the injury bug here. This goes back to his days with the San Antonio Spurs when he was diagnosed with right quadriceps tendinopathy. It’s no secret that Kawhi’s health counts as the first five priorities on his list this season. The Spurs didn’t respect the priorities and he demanded to be traded.
The Toronto Raptors respected his health priorities and got a title out of the deal. Do you think the Clippers would be dumb enough to mess with Leonard’s health based on what history has shown in the last 2-3 years?
However, the backlash Kawhi Leonard is facing is nothing to what LeBron James has faced over the years. It even reared its head this year. Is there a double standard here when it comes to LeBron James and load management? Let’s take an in-depth look.