“Always the hate” – James Harden sounds off on relentless Kawhi Leonard criticism after forward’s Game 2 clinic

James Harden has a message for Kawhi Leonard’s critics after his teammate’s nearly flawless performance helped the LA Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets in Game 2. Leonard dropped 39 points on Monday as the Clippers outlasted the Nuggets 105-102 to tie their first-round series at 1-1.

Speaking at the postgame press conference, Harden was asked about the hate Leonard has been receiving since he signed for the Clippers. The two-time NBA Finals MVP endured a lot of injuries since 2020 and hasn’t had a healthy postseason run for Steve Ballmer’s franchise.

Harden explained that “The Klaw” doesn’t get enough love and credit for what he can do on the court when healthy. Some just want to hate and be critical on one of the best players ever.

“We don’t appreciate how great he is when he’s actually out there and putting up performances like this tonight,” Harden said, according to Clippers beat reporter Joey Linn. “It’s always the negative, it’s always the hate. It’s something we gotta live with, I guess, in this world. For me being closer to him, and every single day seeing the work he puts in, you appreciate him.”

Watch this space as the story continues to develop. It will be updated soon.

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alt=”Juan Paolo David” height=”72″ width=”72″>

Juan Paolo is a journalist for Sportskeeda who covers the NBA and WNBA. He’s been writing about basketball since 2015 and has been with Sportskeeda since 2021.

Juan’s allegiance lies with the Golden State Warriors and his journey with the Warriors began with their memorable victory over the Lakers in 2000, and he experienced the successes of the ‘We Believe’ era and the rise of Steph Curry. 

What Juan loves most about basketball is its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from adrenaline-fueled excitement to the highs of victory and the lows of defeat. To ensure complete accuracy in articles, he conducts thorough research before writing his articles.

The Warriors’ victories in the 2022 and 2017 championships hold a special place in Juan’s memories, as well as iconic moments like Baron Davis’ dunk over Andrei Kirilenko and Goran Dragic’s performance in the 2010 Western Conference semifinals.

Off the court, Juan enjoys watching football, TV and movies, caring for his numerous cats, and cooking whenever time permits.

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Edited by Juan Paolo David