New offensive scheme set up to maximize Kawhi Leonard’s production

Kawhi Leonard is already one of the top scoring threats in the NBA after averaging nearly 27 points per game over the last two seasons. Now, the Los Angeles Clippers new head coach Ty Lue indicates his new offensive philosophy can take Leonard’s production to even a higher level.

The plan is employing a few triangles sets with Kawhi Leonard occupying the same spaces in those sets the Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played. Tyronn Lue learned how to play in the system from Phil Jackson when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. The idea is to bring out Leonard’s excellent midrange jumper, which is rare in today’s NBA that likes to shoot 3s or drive to the basket.

With NBA teams allowing the midrange shot, Tyronn Lue feels it’s an ideal situation to exploit that, especially from one of the best midrange shooters in the game. In fact, if examining NBA games closely, many times it’s the midrange shot that is the key basket down the stretch. Kawhi Leonard has connected at 45 percent from midrange throughout his career and hit nearly 43 percent last season, which ranked fourth in the NBA. Leonard is excited about the new system and feels Lue will improve on the team’s game strategy from last season.

The idea about playing a better overall team brand of basketball is what Leonard is looking for, and despite winless in the preseason, he sees progress in the team in that regard. The result of the new system should be a more selfless, better executed team basketball, instead of predominantly one-on-one isolation plays. Leonard will have his opportunities in the triangle for one-one-one dominance much like Jordan and Bryant, mainly in key situations. Therefore, expect more than a few game-winning shots from Kawhi Leonard this season. In the end, that should result in more wins and an increased chance at a deep run in the playoffs.