Writing off stars due to injuries can sometimes be a costly mistake. And time and again, the NBA icons have proved it. When Michael Jordan returned from a broken foot in his second NBA season, skeptics questioned if he’d ever be the same player again. Not only did he return but he dropped 63 points against the mighty Celtics in the playoffs that year. Similarly, Dominique Wilkins tore his Achilles at age 32, yet came back to average 29.9 points per game, proving that. This reality makes ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins’ recent comments about Kawhi Leonard’s retirement all the more controversial and one former NBA star has even questioned it.

While discussing the current situation of the Los Angeles Clippers on ‘Run it Back’, the former NBA player Lou Williams said, “That’s not, I don’t think that’s Perks or any other person’s place to say when it’s time to retire, you know. We just watched my man (Lonzo) Ball come back in Chicago from two years and have an impact on its pre-season.” This statement can be speculated to be an indirect dig at Perkins whose own career achievements pale in comparison to Leonard’s two NBA championships and Finals MVP award.

However, it’s also understandable why Perkins said, “Every single season, it’s a problem when it comes down to Kawhi Leonard’s health… I really think Kawhi Leonard should consider retiring.” during his show on ESPN. Leonard has a history of injuries with the Clippers. They have haunted the small forward since the 2021-22 season when he had surgery on a torn ACL. The 33-year-old also missed the Paris Olympics due to a knee inflammation and the same problem seems to persist. Besides the 2023-2024 season, the small forward hasn’t played more than sixty games in the previous three years.

But Williams still has hope for his former teammate. “When you fight for your career. When you fight to try, to do things the right way, that’s up to you to decide. Obviously, Kawhi’s been going through this knee issue for quite some time now but he’s always made the effort to get back on the floor. Moment that he stops trying then he should consider the conversation. Till then he’s still working hard, still rehabbing, still trying to give himself a chance to get back on the basketball floor and be one of the top players in the league,” said Williams and his words don’t go without merit. After having troubles for three consecutive seasons, Leonard scored 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in the last season.

For Leonard, who continues to work on his health while contributing at an elite level when available, such commentary might serve as additional motivation to prove that, like many NBA stars before him, he can overcome injury setbacks to write more chapters in his already impressive career. Moreover, this wasn’t the only insight given by Williams.

Lou Williams’ comment for the rising stars in the Los Angeles Clippers

Although the Clippers have lost their best man, the urge to fight should not stop. The same was said by the former player Lou Williams, who even asked two of its rising stars to focus on the game and start delivering.

During the same show, as Chandlers Parsons stopped giving his opinion, the former point didn’t spare a moment to share his thoughts. “The Clippers have a lot of experience with Kawhi missing games due to injuries. If I’m a Terance Mann that just got a new deal or I’m a Norm Pow, this is an opportunity for me to shine. They gotta have next man up mentality. We’re pros too, and we can get this job done,” said Williams.

Both Norman Powell and Terance Mann haven’t got their big break in the NBA. Last season Mann scored an average of just 8.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 1.6 APG. On the other hand, Powell scored a bit better by averaging 13.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.1 APG but was still not up to the mark of Leonard or James Harden. Williams thinks that this opportunity could be a break for them to show their abilities. Only time will tell if Powell and Manns will be able to showcase their skills or not. As for Kawhi Leonard, while his absence can be a big break for the new stars, only time will tell if he does choose retirement.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.