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Published 13:38 IST, January 8th 2020

Damian Lillard defends Clippers' load management of Kawhi Leonard amidst fan criticism

Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard defends Los Angeles Lakers load management of Kawhi Leonard. Load management has been a controversial topic this season.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
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Damian Lillard
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Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard seems to be a supporter of rivals Los Angeles Clippers' load management policies. Load management has been given as the major reason for some top players missing out on regular-season games. Sometimes, NBA fans mock players for using it as an excuse in order to save their body for the playoffs. In a recent interview with a sports channel, Damian Lillard spoke about load management and Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. 

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NBA 2019-20: Damian Lillard defends Los Angeles Clippers' load management of Kawhi Leonard 

According to Damian Lillard, one plays when they love to play. Lillard insisted that Leonard must not focus on the criticism he receives by fans over skipping games to avoid injury. Lillard also opined that Leonard is managing his games as well as he can with respect to any injury he must be suffering from. 

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Kawhi Leonard has always played less than 74 games in one NBA season. Damian Lillard, on the other hand, has always played more than 73. NBA reports believe he is one of the most durable NBA players with few injuries in his 7-year-old NBA career. Leonard himself has courted controversy by sitting out for multiple games this season due to load management and the league also fined the Clippers for the same.  While some are okay with load management, many fans are not happy with the concept. NBA legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James have also criticized load management in the past.

Also read | Damian Lillard bizarrely designs new shoe inspired by a heckler he humbled in Orlando

Updated 13:38 IST, January 8th 2020