(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t do a good deal when they signed Kawhi Leonard.
It didn’t translate to the team overcoming the Los Angeles Lakers as the most beloved or respected team in town.
It didn’t translate to a championship or even a trip to the NBA Finals.
It didn’t even translate to better PR, as Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA, but he’s definitely not very marketable because of his personality.
Over and over, Leonard missed key stretches of the season, and other than the bubble, he’s never been available when it actually counts in the playoffs.
Nonetheless, they kept doubling down on him and even gave him another extension this season.
And while it makes perfect sense from a talent and impact standpoint and he’s not to blame for getting hurt, it just hasn’t worked.
That’s why Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back his thoughts on him suiting up for Team USA.
In an appearance on Udonis Haslem’s and Mike Millers’ The OGs Show, he claimed that he shouldn’t play in the Olympics, going as far as to say that the Clippers should not allow it.
Stephen A. Smith tells UD and Mike his thoughts on Kawhi Leonard playing for Team USA
Watch full episode here: https://t.co/znw620d9Xl pic.twitter.com/jTFF4ZqjxD
— The OGs Show (@theOGsShow) July 10, 2024
Smith stated that no one would put money on Leonard playing in the summer and then being healthy for the season simply because everybody knows that’s not happening.
So, as much as he understands the patriotism and whatnot, it just doesn’t make any sense.
As great a player as Kawhi is, Team USA has the means to replace him.
Basketball is his livelihood, and he’s cashing checks to play.
That means one should only expect him to actually play for the team that pays his salary.
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