LOS ANGELES — Older than both of his new charges combined, having made less money than they pocket in one season. On the surface, then, it appears Jerry West has little in common with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George other than a job working for the Clippers.
Yet their shared basketball lineage is clear. In the 1960s and 70s, West would drop 30 points on any given night and then silence the man he was guarding on other nights — or the same one, if needed. The Godfather of the two-way player, those rarest of NBA talents, West set the Hall of Fame example Leonard and George have been following since. The Clippers’ wing duo similarly torture opponents on both ends, swiping passes on defense and hitting shots from all over on offense.
During his NBA career, West exemplified excellence from one end of the court to the other, and he spent his entire career with the Lakers. Now, as a consultant for the Clippers, he has arguably one of the best views in the house – right in the front row behind the basket near the home bench – where he observes two teammates who aspire to emulate his success.
It’s a high bar to clear. “The Logo” was unrivaled for his broad two-way skills (although Oscar Robertson worshippers might object). Still, if the Clippers manage to sip champagne in June and stage the most unlikely championship parade in L.A. history, it’ll be because Kawhi and George took matters into their own hands by leaving 94 feet worth of fingerprints.
“Watching them is fun,” said West.
You understand why he has those feelings.
In the decade that just finished, only seven players averaged at least 25 points per game in a season and also made All-Defensive first team in that same season or another: Leonard, George, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. If you include all of the 2000s, then add Tim Duncan and Gary Payton to that list. That’s it.
Yes, there were others who, on merits, could put up a case for being in such company. Chris Paul, for example, had the defensive honors without the scoring average. In any event, the elite two-way NBA player is the closest thing to a five-tool baseball player, both celebrated not only for their talent, but also for their scarcity.
Last summer, during his free agency, Kawhi was hoping the Clippers would find a player similar to him – someone who could partner with him at both ends of the court. Across town, the Lakers already had a dynamic duo in Davis and LeBron. However, as is often the case, age was beginning to take a toll on LeBron’s defensive intensity.
Hence, only one candidate mirrored Kawhi’s skills. As soon as the trade with Oklahoma City concluded and George was included, the Clippers, boasting two members of the two-way club, saw a significant rise in their championship aspirations.
“Leonard and I share a lot of common perspectives,” George stated. “Especially in the way we visualize the game on the court and how it should be executed.”
NBA talent scouts find it challenging to locate elite two-way players because they require an exceptional blend of athletic ability and scoring talent. Specialists in offense or defense are often given ample rewards for mastering just one aspect of the game, making them content. It takes a committed player to excel in both offense and defense. The question that arises is whether it is more difficult to transform a top-notch defender into a high scorer, or the other way around, given that most two-way players are developed rather than naturally born with such skills.
“Man, that’s a challenging question to respond to,” stated Doc Rivers, the coach of the Clippers.
Leonard and George are self-made scorers who never lost their DNA for defense. Leonard averaged 7.9 points per game as a rookie and had future Hall of Famers ahead of him in the playbook on the Spurs. His jumper was flat and he rarely looked to shoot 3-pointers. Meanwhile in Indiana, George averaged 7.8 ppg and yielded to Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy, Darren Collison and … Tyler Hansbrough.
Initially, West excelled in defense, but he rapidly developed shooting instincts and entered the NBA as a well-rounded player, which mirrored his earlier performance.
I’ve always believed that defense comes first. I didn’t really have any other option.
Clippers executive Jerry West
“Initially, defense was my game’s strongest aspect,” West stated. “Scoring points is great, but I’ve always prioritized defense. It wasn’t much of a choice for me. In college, I was consistently tasked with guarding the top player, irrespective of their size.”
Standing at 6-4 with long arms, I was naturally gifted in understanding angles and mastering the art of anticipation. This skill was further developed in college, where we practiced pressing and trapping – essential techniques for a defender. I learned to think a play ahead, to strategize according to who I was guarding.
So why did West make the NBA All-Defensive team only five times? Because the league didn’t create the award until the 1969-70 season, his 10th. After that, and well into his twilight, he made it every year (four first teams, one second team) until his final season … when he played only 31 games because of knee troubles and a strained groin.
Remember, too, that the NBA didn’t track steals until 1973-74, West’s last season. Yet West, then 36, averaged 2.6 steals that season despite playing hurt. Fast-forward to the present day, and that average hasn’t been touched in 10 NBA seasons.
Back then, the NBA also had fewer teams, which caused a greater concentration of top players, which meant West didn’t get many breathers in terms of nightly defensive assignments. He constantly saw John Havlicek, Hal Greer, Dave Bing, Lenny Wilkens, Walt Frazier, Rick Barry, Earl Monroe — all the sharpshooters and quick-movers of that day. Unless that player was a center or power forward, chances are good that West would be assigned to him.
“Jerry was relentless,” stated Frazier. “You were aware that it was going to be a challenging night when you faced the Lakers.”
What’s astonishing is how West had the juice for defense while burning so many calories on offense. Understand that for a stretch of 11 seasons, West averaged at least 25.9 ppg. Mid-career, he added point guard responsibilities and overall, he averaged 39.2 mpg — more than what many of today’s players muster in a season. Not to mention that West, and other players of that era, lacked all the modern conveniences (private jets, advanced physical therapy, reduced back-to-back games, load management, etc., etc.) enjoyed today.
“I was extremely lucky,” stated West. “I was full of energy, and fatigue was never an issue for me. Competitiveness is something you’re either born with or learn. Another crucial factor is having a strong aversion to losing. I believe that your impact on a game, such as making a defensive play or stealing the ball, can be pivotal. Therefore, you focus on that and don’t concern yourself with offense until it’s necessary.”
During the 1965 playoff series against the Baltimore Bullets, Elgin Baylor sustained a knee injury in the first game, ending his participation. In response, West scored a remarkable 49 points, leading the Lakers to victory. He continued his high-scoring streak in Game 2 with 52 points. Despite scoring 44 and 48 points in the subsequent two games, the Lakers suffered losses. West scored 43 points in the victorious Game 5, and concluded the series with 42 points in the final game. His average of 46.3 points per game remains the highest in any playoff series.
Naturally, he is the only Finals MVP winner who didn’t clinch the championship. This unusual feat became possible in the 1969 series when Bill Russell, the Celtics’ player-coach, controversially declined to double-team West in the initial two games. As a result, West scored 53 and then 41 points against Sam Jones, leading the Lakers to a 2-0 advantage before they ultimately lost in seven games.
Leonard and George, who were born several decades later, find these scenes unfamiliar. In their minds, West’s championship victories with the Lakers were as a team architect, not a player. Nowadays, he is a respected member of the Clippers’ front office. This respect was evident during a final meeting at Rivers’ home before Leonard and his uncle, Dennis Robertson, signed their contracts – West was the only other person present.
When Leonard arrived in San Antonio in 2011, his rebounding appetite was apparent. (As you know, board man gets paid and all that.) His defense quickly rose to NBA level, which allowed him to carve a role in the rotation of a championship-caliber team.
Kawhi, however, needed to refine his offensive skills. He only had a 25% success rate on 3-pointers while at San Diego State. He lacked confidence in his range and had no experience in high-pressure situations since the Spurs relied on Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for those moments.
“Kawhi simply put in the work,” stated Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “His desire to be a comprehensive player left him unsatisfied and he dedicated time to improving his shot. As our team evolved, he naturally became the one with the ball.”
Leonard’s rep as an elite defender soared in the 2014 Finals when his claws on LeBron proved pivotal; in Game 3 for example, Kawhi outscored LeBron 29-22. But as Kawhi won back-to-back Kia Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015-16, his scoring improved enough to make him the featured option on the Spurs. He went from 7.9 ppg as a rookie to 25.5 ppg by his fifth season. After mastering the mid-range and post-up, Kawhi stretched his range to where he became comfortable from deep. In his playoff career, he’s 41.1% on 3-pointers.
“He said, ‘It’s all about working hard. I always strive to be the best player I can.'”
George’s offense evolved at a steady pace. He only managed a 29% shooting average from a distance in his rookie year. However, as he honed his shooting prowess, the Pacers’ performance as a team also improved, with repeated playoff appearances and brief moments of giving LeBron and the Heat a run for their money. Excluding his 2014-15 season, which was disrupted by injury, George’s scoring average saw a six-year consistent increase, and his 28-point average last season in Oklahoma City was second only to James Harden’s in the scoring lead. Additionally, he led the league in steals, earning him a spot on the All-Defense first team.
“As a rookie, George had a lot to learn offensively,” stated Frank Vogel, his coach in Indiana during that period. “From shooting and passing to court awareness, he had much growth ahead of him. It’s impossible to improve if you’re not on the court playing. Fortunately, defensively, he had the capability to remain on the court, which instilled in me the confidence to let him play and develop his offensive skills.”
George and Kawhi are coordinated in their defense. They foresee steals, offer support, guard in the open floor, and play close on the perimeter without worrying about being outpaced off the dribble due to their quick recovery skills. A keen observer is always seated behind the home basket at Staples Center, closely watching their moves.
“West said, “They possess splendid intuition, impressive hand skills, foresight, and strength. They have all the essential qualities needed for success.”
“Consider Kawhi: His time in San Antonio was a valuable learning experience which he capitalized on. He showed immediate instincts for the game. When you see him and Paul on the court, it’s just mind-boggling how to get past them given their reach. They’re experts at intercepting passes. Observing how these guys manipulate angles on the court is truly remarkable.”
George stated that he is always ready to listen when West gives guidance, because he acknowledges expertise when he sees it.
“George showed me a perspective I hadn’t considered before, specifically, how I initiate my attack,” he said. “It’s all about my leading foot. I’ve always positioned my feet in a specific way. But he suggested angling them towards the basket to maintain a constant leaning towards it. These are minute details he can spot due to his experience and skills. If he points out any little thing that needs improvement, trust me, I’m working on it the very next day.”
As the Clippers progress through this challenging season, they’ll require maximum effort from their pair of top-tier two-way players on both offense and defense.
Well, check that.
“Rivers expressed his delight at securing all three,”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter .
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