Since 2019 when the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, there have been widespread questions on whether the franchise cares about the regular season. Leonard has dealt with serious injuries in his career and has been on the forefront of strategically sitting out games in hopes of extending his career and being available for the playoffs.

Leonard tore his meniscus during the Clippers' first round series less than two years his 2021 playoffs ended early due to a torn ACL.

"We have to be honest with ourselves," said Lawrence Frank. "We have to look in the mirror. It starts with me. We have to get back to honoring and respecting the regular season."

The Clippers finished the regular season as the No. 5 seed. In the four seasons since acquiring Leonard and George, they have finished the regular season second, fourth, eighth and fifth in the Western Conference.

"The regular season matters," Frank added. "Not that our guys don’t think it matters. I think all of us, starting with me, we can compete harder every single day. We can hold each other accountable every day."