The NBA season is officially underway, and the Los Angeles Clippers opened their campaign with a dramatic overtime game against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, marking the first game in their new arena. However, their star player, Kawhi Leonard, was noticeably absent from the action, sidelined due to ongoing knee issues. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Leonard is expected to miss “weeks” as he deals with these recurring health problems.
Leonard’s career with the Clippers has been heavily impacted by injuries ever since he signed with the team in 2019.
Despite being one of the most talented players in the league, his time on the court has been limited, and his absences have frustrated fans, media personalities, and even teammates. One of his most vocal critics has been ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who didn’t hold back in expressing his frustrations with Leonard’s prolonged injury struggles.
On a recent episode of First Take, Smith blasted Leonard for not only his injury history but also for attempting to join Team USA after undergoing surgery. “So you had surgery, but you wanted to play for Team USA,” Smith said. “What the hell did you do that for?”
Smith wasn’t just critical of Leonard; he also called out Clippers president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, for allowing Leonard to even consider playing in the Olympics.
Leonard had committed to Team USA but ultimately had to withdraw from the roster due to injury concerns. For Smith, this situation highlighted poor decision-making from both the player and the organization.
The outspoken analyst didn’t stop there, expressing his frustration with how the Clippers have managed Leonard’s recurring health issues. He criticized Leonard for not taking more responsibility for his prolonged absences, especially when it matters most—during the playoffs.
“When you miss half the games, you miss 15 of the last 19 playoff games, you’re not healthy when it counts,” Smith said. “Then you sit up there and get every perk under the sun, it’s problematic.”
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Smith also took issue with how Leonard’s free agency in 2019 essentially forced the Clippers to make a blockbuster trade for Paul George, a move that sent young star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In Smith’s view, Leonard’s demands during free agency and his subsequent absences have done more harm than good for the Clippers organization.
“I can make a legitimate argument that Kawhi Leonard is the worst superstar in the history of any sport,” Smith boldly declared. He went on to explain that while Leonard’s talent is undeniable, his frequent absences and lack of public engagement make him a poor ambassador for the sport. “You can’t have somebody like that and it’s beneficial. He’s gonna miss work half the time and does absolutely nothing to promote your product or your brand. He is a poster child for what not to be as a star in any sport.”
Leonard’s current knee injury marks yet another extended absence, and Smith’s frustration with the situation is shared by many who have followed the Clippers’ tumultuous journey since acquiring Leonard.
Despite his immense skill and ability to dominate when healthy, Leonard’s career has been marred by injuries, leaving his legacy and impact in question.
For Clippers fans, the hope remains that Leonard can return to form and lead the team deep into the playoffs, but with each missed game, the pressure continues to mount on both the player and the franchise.
As Leonard’s injury saga drags on, the debate over his status as one of the game’s top superstars—and Smith’s harsh critique—will only intensify.
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