Kawhi Leonard's Trainer: Clippers Star 'Works Like He's Trying to Make the Team'
If the 2019-20 NBA season does wind up returning this summer, expect Kawhi Leonard to be ready.
Leonard's longtime trainer, Clint Parks, spoke to
"I could honestly say since when I first met him when he was 14 years old, he always loved to work hard. Nothing has changed. Over all these years and the success he's had, he still works like he's trying to make the team every year. He's never going to get content. He came back from an injury and still won the NBA championship last year. When the season starts next year or whenever it comes back, I can promise you he's going to come back the same way."
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Of course, Leonard has a reason to play with a chip on his shoulder. None of the nation's major programs out West offered him a scholarship coming out of high school despite him being the nation's No. 57 overall prospect in his class. That sent him to San Diego State, where he became a star for the program before again facing doubters—particularly about his shooting ability—heading into the 2011 NBA draft.
Have enough people doubting you, and eventually the desire to prove them wrong will become an integral personality trait. Leonard's work ethic has never been in question from the moment he arrived in the NBA and began to reshape his game, particularly his shot.
The NBA season is currently postponed indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic. The NBA has not given any indication on a potential return to play, heeding the advice of medical professionals.
Leonard and the Clippers were on a tear before the season was postponed, winning seven of their last eight games and beginning to coalesce into the title favorite most saw coming into the year. Even if the NBA season resumes, it'll be under never-before-seen circumstances, so it's impossible to know if things would shake out.
Good money's on Leonard being ready for whatever, whenever.
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.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")