Clippers’ Culture Described as ‘Train Wreck’

Not knowing whether oft-injured star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be able to play from night to night has created a basketball crisis within the Clippers, a rival executive told Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports.

And it may not be fixable anytime soon, the exec added.

“I’m not sure what they can do,” the executive told Bulpett. “They’re not going to get value for those guys (Leonard, George) in any sort of deals. They just miss too many games, and that’s ruined the culture. It’s ruined the culture of the Clippers.

“Not knowing from night to night if you’re going to have PG or Kawhi just killed them. They didn’t know who was playing on any given night. It’s a train wreck. They’ve got some really good character guys on their team, but the culture is bad.”

The Clippers were without Leonard for most of their first-round series vs. the Suns, which LA lost in five games. George was out the entire time. Both stars are dealing with knee issues, though Leonard’s is viewed as more serious and more career-threatening.

“A number of opposing execs told Heavy Sports they’re essentially looking over the crash to see if some parts can be salvaged,” Bulpett wrote.

Former Celtics star Paul Pierce, who served a stint with the Clippers, said he thinks it may bew time for Leonard to retire.

“If I’m Kawhi Leonard, I would really consider retirement. This has a lot to do with what his body has been through,” Pierce said to former teammate Kevin Garnett on the KG Certified.

In related news, there has been talk recently point guard Russell Westbrook could move on from the Clippers in free agency. We have that full post here.

The Clippers have a big off-season ahead and Kawhi’s status will be the highest priority.

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