JJ Redick had a big response to Stephen A. Smith after the latter made some questionable comments on Kawhi Leonard.
Smith believes that the Los Angeles Clippers should force Kawhi to retire from the game after another injury prevented him from playing in the last three games of the Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Clippers series.
“I mean this in the nicest way possible to both of you,” Redick said, referring to Smith and Chris Russo. “But listening to each of you right now, it’s very obvious that you’ve played zero high-level basketball and you do not understand the requirements of doing that.
“A sprained ankle is very different than a sprained knee. A sprained knee for someone who has torn a quad tendon, and who has torn their ACL, is very different than someone playing on a hobbled ankle in the 1970s. It’s a terrible analogy.”
.@jj_redick responds to @stephenasmith saying Kawhi Leonard needs to be forced into retirement: pic.twitter.com/OrkcQRMclc
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 26, 2023
Redick even pointed out that Smith say he didn’t question Leonard’s injury, only to do it in his next sentence. The retired sharpshooter questioned if the analyst simply didn’t want to say encouraging words to Kawhi.
“You say, ‘I’m not questioning his injury,’” Redick said to Smith. “You just said, ‘We saw Paul George get hurt. We didn’t see Kawhi get hurt.’ Let’s give the guy some credit. He did it in Game 1. He went out there and battled Game 2. Guess what? If he could play, he would play.
“Do you not have empathy for someone who has come back from two major leg injuries? Do you not?”
This is big from Redick, who hasn’t been shy when expressing his opinion. The former player-turned-analyst has engaged in heated discussions since he joined ESPN. Recently, he started beefing with Kendrick Perkins, who took some shots at him for claiming the referees were favoring the Kings over the Warriors.
He’s not scared of going against the establishment and Smith has learned that firsthand.
Stephen A. Smith Had Different Responses To Kawhi Leonard And Victor Oladipo’s Injuries
Stephen A. has been very critical of Kawhi’s recent injuries. This isn’t the first time he’s claimed that Leonard should hang the boots and try his luck elsewhere, contrary to what he said about Victor Oladipo.
Oooohhhh Nooooo!!!! @VicOladipo goes down grabbing that left knee. Has to get helped off the court. Awww damn!!! Did not want to see that. We all know his injury history.#🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 23, 2023
Both players have a history of long-term injuries and Smith had a different reaction to their recent injuries. While he claimed Leonard should retire, he stated the opposite about Oladipo.
Hopefully, Kawhi gets healthy soon and things get better for him and the Clippers. Tyronn Lue is confident that with Kawhi and Paul George, they are unbeatable, and they’ll try to have their two stars ready to go next season.
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