Snapshot · The Bill Simmons Podcast
Kawhi Leonard played only 11 playoff games in the five years from 2022–2026, winning zero playoff series since May 2021, undermining the narrative that he's a difference-maker for Toronto.
Where this was said
At 1:30:49 · chapter starts 1:22:21
The Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto is presented as a masterpiece of collective sports amnesia. Bill Simmons methodically catalogs Kawhi's playoff record since his Clippers tenure: bubble loss in round 2, 2021 West Finals breakdown, 2022 hurt, 2023 round 1 exit in 5, 2024 round 1 exit in 6 playing 2 games, 2025 round 2 loss in 7, 2026 play-in loss at home. [1] — Bill Simmons "Kawhi Leonard has played just 11 playoff games in five years, hasn't won a series since May 2021, and lost the first play-in game last year…" 1:29:40 Kirk Goldsberry adds the analytical dimension: while Kawhi always looks elite in estimated plus-minus, the models systematically fail to account for durability as a skill. The man plays fewer games, looks better per-possession, but simply doesn't show up when it counts. Chris Ryan's closing observation is the sharpest: the Clippers have spiritually returned to the pre-Lob City era, with Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram as their centerpiece.
Kawhi Leonard has played just 11 playoff games in five years, hasn't won a series since May 2021, and lost the first play-in game last year at home. The idea that he's the missing piece for Toronto runs on pure sports amnesia.
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Rico Verhoeven dominated approximately 10 of 12 rounds against undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk before a controversial post-bell stoppage.
Rico's appeal confirmed the fight was stopped after the bell rang, and the ringside doctor found no concussion or disorientation — yet the result was never overturned.
Glory Kickboxing uses 5 judges rather than boxing's 3, which Joe Rogan argues reduces the chance of a corrupt or incompetent minority swinging the result.
Rico Verhoeven had only one professional boxing match before fighting undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC title.
Despite having just one pro boxing match, Rico Verhoeven had been training boxing for 15 years alongside his kickboxing career.
Rico used a full 6 months to transition from kickboxing stance to a proper boxing stance under trainer Peter Fury, calling it essential rewiring.
Rico Verhoeven has had approximately 75 professional kickboxing fights, giving him a massive combat sports experience advantage over pure boxers.
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