In the NBA, where the business can be cruel, bonds can break due to decisions. In the past, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook lost their way after the former joined the Warriors. However, the former Clippers duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard had always been different. The two varied personalities shared a relationship that goes well beyond the court. “And I look at Kawhi as one of my best friends in this league,” PG13 said when explaining his decision to leave the Clippers.

Unsatisfactory contract negotiations led to the tandem being discontinued without ever peaking the LA franchise to a title. But there was no discretion. The Klaw understood why George had to leave. Such reassurance helped him make the transition. However, even though they are more than 2,500 miles apart, they still have regular conversations.

Notably, ahead of the Sixers’ clash against the Clippers, where George will mark a return to LA, he spoke about keeping in touch with Leonard the most from the team. “I talked to Kawhi a couple of times. You know I have because the relations runs deeper than us being teammates,” he said on his podcast.

George will play in his second game for Philly when he visits the Intuit Dome, which he described as “dope”. The sad part is that he won’t be an ally, but a rival for the Clippers. But even though he has yet to incorporate himself fully with the Sixers, he revealed still sharing some remarks about the current Clippers roster with an injured Leonard who he keeps “tabs with”.

“I keep tabs with Kawhi. I see how he is doing, how his recovery is going. You know couple comments here and there on how the team looks so far. So I will keep in touch with Kawhi. We will talk,” the nine-time All-Star said on Podcast P.

The Clippers are finding themselves without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard

With Leonard injured and George out, there was uncertainty about how the Clippers would look. Would they have to summon James Harden to score the ball? Which players would see an elevated role? These were all the questions circling through the information-hungry minds. In seven games so far, they have a 3-4 record.

However, despite the losing record, many positives have emerged from the shorthanded Clippers team. Three of the four losses have been single-digit, barring the game against the tight defense of the Thunder. The Beard is playing a connector role and establishing cohesion within the roster.

That has led to a career season for Ivica Zubac, the longtime center of the Clippers. Averaging a career-high 17.4 points and 13 rebounds, his four double-doubles are tied for the fourth most in the NBA this season. Additionally, Norman Powell has let himself loose, leading the Clippers with 24.9 points per game.

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James Harden’s skill keeps the team on a string and has played a significant role in their position without their best player yet to have a return timeline. The team currently ranks third in rebounds per game, helping them 12th most second-chance points at 15.1 per game. Even without Kawhi Leonard thus far, the Clippers have managed to stay competitive and seen unprecedented berths of some of their players.

When the Klaw returns, the team’s potential could go much higher than it is right now. Do you think the Clippers will make the playoffs this season? Let us know your views in the comments below.