Leonard shines light on Miller's crucial offensive and defensive growth.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard had high praise for teammate Jordan Miller after the team's recent stretch of strong play, as the Clippers have won 11 of their last 13 games and are starting to look like a team that could make some noise in the Western Conference.
Leonard Highlights Miller's Growth
After another win to push their record to 17-23, Leonard was asked about Miller's recent performances and didn't hold back on the compliments.
"Yeah, I mean, he's had a few games, like he said, he got to put together a season," Leonard said. "He's doing that collectively with these games. He's coming out there confidently, shooting the ball, playing good defense, getting to the paint."
Miller has been a key part of the Clippers' resurgence off the bench, and his play has been turning heads during the team's recent run.
The third-year guard out of Miami is averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season, but his recent stretch has been even more impressive.
Clippers Continue Their Climb
The praise from Leonard comes at an important time for the Clippers, who have turned their season around after a brutal 6-21 start.
Since December 20, Los Angeles has been one of the hottest teams in the league, and their improved defense combined with strong play from Leonard and James Harden has been the biggest reason for the turnaround.
Leonard has been playing at an MVP level during this run, averaging 28.2 points per game on 49.7 percent shooting from the field, and Harden has been right there with him, putting up 25.8 points and 8.5 assists per game this season while recently passing Shaquille O'Neal on the all-time scoring list.
Young Players Stepping Up
What makes Miller's emergence important for the Clippers is the depth it provides for a team that has dealt with injuries throughout the season.
With players like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. missing time, younger players like Miller have had to step up, and they have delivered when called upon.
Miller's shooting has been a big part of his recent success, as he's knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a strong clip and has shown the ability to finish in traffic.
His defensive effort has also been noticed, which is exactly what the Clippers need from their role players as they climb the Western Conference standings.
The Clippers head to Toronto on Friday night looking to extend their hot streak, and with Miller continuing to develop alongside the stars, Los Angeles is proving they can be a dangerous team that nobody wants to face come playoff time.