Kawhi Leonard's health could impact NBA landscape

For the seventh straight year, the Los Angeles Clippers will enter the new NBA season believing that if Kawhi Leonard can stay healthy, they will be a contending force in the Western Conference. Leonard has shone in the two preseason games he's played for the Clippers in recent days.

The two-time NBA champion has totaled 36.9 minutes of playing time, scoring 35 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field, with six of those makes coming via his 14 three-point attempts. Leonard has also chipped in with three assists, two steals and two rebounds. 

However, Leonard's aggression in getting to the free-throw line has stood out. Leonard has taken eight free-throw attempts over two games, knocking down seven of them (87.5%). As one would expect, Leonard's defense, both on and off-ball, has also shone for the Clippers.

During a recent episode of ESPN's "NBA Today," Brian Windhorst admitted that if Leonard stays healthy, the Clippers will be a force to be reckoned with.

“This is like the conversation with Joel Embiid, it’s very hard to make an assumption about health,” Windhorst said. “But if Kawhi is going to be this player, the Clippers can win the Western Conference. As good as the Thunder are ... That team I watched last night (on Sunday) is a conference championship-level team if they’re able to hit.”