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Clippers' Reggie Jackson Praises Kawhi Leonard: 'Baddest Man on the Planet'
June 6, 2021
Kawhi Leonard proved yet again he was built for Game 7's, adding another incredible performance to his still-growing legacy.
With 28 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in a 126-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, the small forward ensured the Clippers would advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. In the process, he also left his teammates in awe.
Point guard Reggie Jackson had to crash Leonard's post-game interview with Rachel Nichols to let the rest of the NBA know.
"Baddest man on the planet!" Jackson shouted over Leonard's shoulder, before repeating himself for good measure.
After Sunday's outing, it's hard to disagree.
Before Jackson interrupted him, Leonard was explaining to the ABC broadcast how the win was a team effort, crediting the Clippers with committing to defense after watching film of pervious games in the series.
That may be true, but none of it would've mattered without Leonard's efforts. The 29-year-old already has a case as one of the best Game 7 players in the NBA right now. In six career Game 7's, including Sunday, Leonard is averaging 21.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor.
L.A. needed every bit of that against Dallas as Mavs star Luka Doncic went off for 46 points and 14 assists despite mostly being guarded by Leonard.
If there's anything Leonard wants his teammates to take away from the first-round series, it's that the effort they displayed during Game 7 is exactly how they need to play during every game going forward.
Leonard may be the baddest man on the planet, but that doesn't mean the Clippers need to keep going to Game 7 to prove it.
"You can't just pick one game to lock in," Leonard said. "You have to stay focused throughout the whole series, whether it's seven games or four games."