Not everyone can be a superstar like Kawhi Leonard. But that’s okay because successful teams still need secondary stars, starters, and key players who know their role in an organization.
Yet, even among superstars, we can’t argue that some are better and worse than others. For example, Michael Jordan is a superstar, and so is Charles Barkley, but there was always a vast difference in skill between the two.
So what about Leonard? He, too, is not up there with the ranks of Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, or Giannis Antetokounmpo, at least not anymore. Yet, there’s a case to be made that Leonard was never on their level despite having two NBA Championships to his name. What he doesn’t have is an MVP award, unlike the trio mentioned above.
Stephen A. Smith blasts Kawhi Leonard
While it may be fair to say Leonard isn’t a top-three or even top-five player, some, like Stephen A. Smith, are willing to take things further by suggesting the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star is actually the “worst superstar in sports history.”
“I can make a case that this is the worst superstar in the history of sports. He is a nightmare. You’re talking about the first four years of his time with the Clippers, he’s averaged 40.3 games per season. Do you know that Kawhi hasn’t been available for 15 of the last Clippers playoff games? Do you know that the year they went to the Conference Finals, which by the way, was without him, because he got hurt. Do you know they haven’t won a playoff series since?”
Stephen A. Smith ripping into Kawhi Leonard
.@stephenasmith goes off on Kawhi Leonard 😯
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 30, 2024
"This is not a conversation about his ability when healthy. … I can make a case this is the worst superstar in the history of sports. He is a nightmare." pic.twitter.com/5yJpxrUxpA
Smith’s argument largely focused on Leonard’s availability, which is just about the only thing the six-time All-NBA swingman can be criticized for. Remember, this is not only a two-time champion. He’s won Finals MVP on both occasions.
But as they say, one of a player’s best assets is his availability, and the cold, hard truth is that Leonard just hasn’t been able to stay healthy as of late. But does that make him the worst superstar in sports history? Probably not.
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