Kawhi Leonard says his knee is fine as ‘no one noticed me so far’ for new teammates

It’s going to be an interesting, unpredictable season for the Clippers: brand new building to promote and make home, plus plenty of old-school James Harden with the ball in his hands (he shot eight free throws in 18 minutes of action in the Clippers’ first preseason game).

Kawhi Leonard answered two of the big questions facing the Clippers this season: his knee and what his new teammates look like.

Leonard had an offseason procedure on his knee, an infection there kept him out of the Paris Olympics, and has been held out of a major training camp to work on getting his knee stronger and ready for the season. He said at halftime of the Clippers preseason game in Honolulu that things are looking good, but whether he will play back-to-backs this season remains to be seen. Here’s his quote, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.

“I feel good. I just took my time, got stronger and got ready.

“…We’re just taking it easy, day by day, and trying to get me back on my feet. Once those calls come, we’ll see what they’re talking about (on the best approach for back-to-calls) -ridges).”

Leonard played in 68 games last season, the most he had played in a season since 2017, and was an All-NBA performer. Then knee problems flared up in the playoffs, he played just two games and the Mavericks sent the Clippers home in the first round. The question this season is how to get Leonard through the regular season and get him healthy for the postseason.

The other thing the Clippers need to reach the postseason is for their new players – Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, Kevin Porter Jr. – going a step further and filling some of the gap left by Paul George going to Philadelphia. So far I can’t say Leonard is impressed.

If Leonard’s knee isn’t good and he can’t be on the field for more than 60 games this season, it might not matter how well those newcomers play.

It’s going to be an interesting season in Los Angeles.