Brook Lopez is in awe of Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi Leonard has continued to impress for the Los Angeles Clippers this season and the he's been doing that lately has been nothing short of historic.
He's had 48 consecutive games with 20 points, which is the most by a player above 30 years old in NBA history and it's the second-longest streak among all active players.
Even though Leonard has been held down often throughout this career, particularly as a Clipper, by injuries, he's proven this season that when healthy, he remains one of the best players in basketball.
His excellence has never been lost on his fellow players, even if it fell at times in the eyes of fans. For Brook Lopez, who's been in the league almost as long as anyone in his 18th season, he's been well acquainted with what Leonard's been capable of as an opponent and now he's grateful that the two are wearing the same uniform.
Lopez Praises Leonard
"It's crazy as it sounds... He [Leonard] has such a high standard of excellence and he keeps doing new things to keep raising that level. It's fun to watch. I've been watching it for a long time as an opponent," Lopez said. "But, to be on his team now and watch it every single night and the work he puts in, it's inspiring."
While Leonard's health may have failed him throughout his career, his work ethic never has. Throughout the years, whenever the blips that Leonard has consistently been on the court have occurred, he's been nothing short of special. The record that he's set and continues to add on to is just one example of that.
The way he's been playing this season, with 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists, are some of the best numbers of his career.
His scoring is at an all-time high and if the Clippers didn't have Leonard at the All-Star level he's played at this season, there second-half surge to make them a contender for the Play-In tournament despite their horrible start to the year may have been completely out of the question.
Leonard the Key to Success
The Clippers will continue to rely heavily on Leonard as their playoff potential seems still within sight and with the performance he's been capable of, they have plenty of reason to put their full faith in their veteran superstar.
Like Lopez, Leonard is no newcomer to the game either. He's in his 14th season and continues to improve with each passing game. That doesn't happen without two things: a huge amount of skill and massive amount of work.
Like Lopez said, what Leonard's been able to do has been inspiring.