Kawhi Leonard is widely regarded as one of the most seasoned and respected players of his generation, known for his elite skills, composure, and unconventional decision-making. Now, it appears the Los Angeles Clippers star is stepping into a mentorship role—offering advice to one of the NBA’s most intriguing newcomers: Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen, nicknamed the “Chinese Jokic.”
Leonard and Yang recently connected via video call to talk about life in the NBA. The call comes ahead of Leonard’s offseason trip to China, and it felt fitting that he spoke with the Shandong-born Yang before heading overseas.
Yang, who was unexpectedly selected 16th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and later traded to the Trail Blazers, turned heads during the NBA Summer League with his well-rounded game. His play earned comparisons to Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, hence the “Chinese Jokic” label that has followed him into the league.
Despite his early promise, the 20-year-old admitted to Leonard that adjusting to the NBA pace hasn’t been easy. “The pace is kind of fast. They [players] are really fast—like rabbits. Extremely fast,” Yang said through a translator.
Leonard laughed at the comment before offering some reassurance. “Once you get a few more games under your belt, it will slow down,” said the 34-year-old forward, who has built a reputation for playing at his own deliberate tempo.
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Leonard was once again hampered by injuries during the 2024–25 NBA season, appearing in just 37 games for the Clippers. He still managed to average 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per contest. Yet there’s no denying the sense of unfinished business for the Clippers, who hoped to go deeper in the postseason before being eliminated—ironically by Jokic and the Nuggets.
During their conversation, Leonard also sought some lighthearted advice from Yang about his upcoming trip to China—specifically on how to talk trash in Mandarin. “I need some in-person coaching for that,” Leonard joked.
The two-time NBA champion also expressed interest in playing with Yang someday. The Trail Blazers rookie recently opted out of representing China in the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup to focus on preparing for his first NBA season with Portland.
