The term ‘load management’ has recently been the big talk of the town. It is the strategy of resting players who are healthy to prevent injuries and ensure they are in good shape for the playoffs. Experts and fans have been critical of this practice because it might seem unfair to many. Meanwhile, LA Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard has become the face of this infamous bandwagon. The 2x NBA champ’s injury rehab process has been under the microscope since his San Antonio Spurs days. But is he a mastermind or a victim of his fate?

Recently, the Clippers President of Basketball Operations, Frank Lawrence, shared some rather concerning updates on Kawhi Leonard’s knee injuries. His appearance in the opening game against Phoenix would depend on the recovery conditions of his knee. This means if the medics do not give a thumbs-up, the Klaw will have to be benched. Does this situation count as load management? Leonard’s recovery phase has been an open secret in this case. Therefore, ex-Spurs star Antonio Daniels has put forth his thoughts.

Even though Kawhi Leonard is the ‘poster child’ for needing load management after facing constant injuries, Antonio Daniels thinks otherwise. “When I think of load management, Kawhi Leonard’s not who I think of,” the former NBA star told SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“A lot of the load management started with Kawhi Leonard, but truth be told, I’ve never thought that Kawhi Leonard was sitting out for the sake of sitting out. Never. I can’t say that for everyone else, though,” Antonio Daniels continued. Over the years, the 6x NBA All-Star’s efficiency has dropped and injuries have been one of the biggest barriers for him.

However, whenever Kawhi Leonard is on the court, he makes it a point to contribute as much as he can. Even in the 2023-24 season, he averaged 23.7 points and made it to the All-Star team. Therefore, Antonio Daniels is debunking the load management allegations the 33-year-old has faced for so long.

“Other people, I am thinking to myself, it’s a back-to-back and you could play, but you are not playing because it’s a back-to-back, is my thought. There are certain guys that I feel like are exempt from load management,” Daniels explained. At the same time, the former hooper points out that players like Kawhi Leonard and “LeBron James should be able to load manage whenever they want to. When you are that age, you should be able to load manage as you see fit.”

The simple reason is that sitting out in a game or a back-to-back right before the playoffs can benefit the hooper and team. Everything is a matter of efficiency in the NBA and teams always chase that. Moreover, “Kawhi Leonard, because his injury is degenerative. He should be able to load manage whenever he wants to low manage plain and simple,” Daniels continued.

Besides, the thing about the NBA- it’s not equal opportunity. Never has been, never will be. Antonio Daniels concluded his reasoning by adding, “Everybody’s not treated the same, nor should everybody be treated the same because everybody’s dealing with something different.” So, there can always be exceptions in any sport, and the NBA world shouldn’t be too harsh on those who desperately need the rare advantages. Now, coming back to Kawhi Leonard, what’s going on with him?

Kawhi Leonard’s familiar injuries continue lingering ahead of the 2024/25 preseason

The news from within the LA Clippers might be more concerning than one can imagine. Kawhi Leonard’s offseason took an odd turn. Reports indicate he underwent a knee procedure on his right knee; the same knee that kept him from finishing the playoffs and forced him out of the Team USA Olympic roster. As the 2024/25 season is around the corner, there is cautious optimism about his recovery.

Signifying that Kawhi’s return depends on his preseason performances and fitness, Tom Azarly also clarified that the hooper “will be held out of certain drill work to open Clippers training camp. They will focus on strengthening and loading.” 

The Clippers are counting on Kawhi Leonard, who signed a hefty three-year, $153 million extension in January. But, his injury history has raised doubts among fans and analysts. However, the franchise’s hopes rest on his ability to bounce back, especially as they get ready to debut in their new arena. With Paul George gone, the team is now leaning on James Harden as the man to run the show.

As excitement builds for the new season, the Clippers are at a crossroads. On one hand, their commitment to Kawhi Leonard raises questions about their future direction. Meanwhile, Antonio Daniels argues that Klaw shouldn’t be blamed for the alleged load management because his injuries are genuine, and he doesn’t sit out when healthy. The upcoming season holds uncertainty, but with his determination and the team’s plans, the Clippers prepare for a thrilling journey.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.