Stephen A. Smith recently expressed his strong disapproval of Kawhi Leonard’s participation in Team USA for the upcoming Olympics on the ‘OGs’ podcast. Smith was particularly incensed given Leonard’s history of injuries and frequent absences during critical periods for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Update: Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from the 2024 Team USA, validating Stephen A. Smith’s prediction about Leonard’s offseason priorities. We wrote our story before this happened, so it seems Smith had an accurate read on Leonard’s focus.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more pissed off at a dude wearing Team USA uniform. Remember how excited he was when they came to him and Grant Hill and them put him on Team USA? Do you know how many games you’ve missed?”
“To be talking about playing in the summer, you might get hurt from the flight to Paris. I’m not letting you play. If I’m Steve Ballmer, I will use every means at my disposal to make sure this man ain’t on Team USA. For one reason and one reason only, I don’t trust that you’re going to leave healthy.”
“I promise you, you tell me right now, if I said to you, if I said you UD, M&M you got to bet me your check that this man going to play this summer and he going to be healthy for the season. None of y’all are taking that bet.”
“You know I’m telling the truth. You know I’m telling the truth. You’re not taking that bet. You’re not doing it. And so if you know that, it’s like, I understand Team USA.”
“I understand the nostalgia, the patriotism, the international competition, I get it. Damn bro, you keep signing these extensions, you’re never around when it really, really counts.” (58:38)
Smith highlighted Leonard’s enthusiasm for playing in the Olympics, contrasting it with his sporadic availability for the Clippers. He argued that Leonard, who has missed significant playing time due to injuries, should prioritize his NBA commitments over international competition.
Smith emphasized that if he were Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, he would do everything possible to prevent Leonard from playing for Team USA, fearing that Leonard might get injured even before the NBA season begins.
Smith’s critique is not new; he has previously labeled Leonard as the worst superstar in sports due to his unreliability. Smith’s frustration reached a peak as he pointed out Leonard’s inability to stay healthy and questioned his commitment to the Clippers.
Leonard’s injury history, marked by numerous missed games, has severely impacted the Clippers’ performance during crucial moments, leading Smith to doubt Leonard’s ability to contribute consistently.
Over his first four years with the Clippers, Leonard has averaged just 40.3 games per season. In the 2019-20 season, he missed 15 out of 72 regular-season games but managed to play in all playoff games. The following season, Leonard missed 20 out of 72 regular-season games and 8 out of 19 playoff games, indicating a more significant impact on the team’s performance in crucial moments.
The 2021-22 season was particularly challenging as Leonard missed all 82 regular-season games and one playoff game due to injury, leaving a substantial gap in the team’s lineup. In the 2022-23 season, Leonard missed 30 out of 82 regular-season games and 3 out of 5 playoff games, further emphasizing his struggle to maintain consistent participation.
In the most recent season, 2023-24, Leonard missed 14 out of 82 regular-season games and 4 out of 6 playoff games, continuing the pattern of absences during critical periods. These statistics underscore the concerns about Leonard’s availability and the impact on his team’s success.
Smith’s argument boils down to the belief that Leonard’s primary focus should be on staying healthy for the Clippers rather than risking further injury by playing for Team USA. For Smith, the idea of Leonard donning the Team USA uniform while being so frequently unavailable for his NBA team is a frustrating scenario that he believes should be avoided at all costs.
Stephen A. Smith Is Absolutely Right
Stephen A. Smith is absolutely right with his take on Kawhi Leonard’s participation in Team USA. Smith has never questioned Leonard’s talent or abilities; rather, he has pointed out the significant issue of Leonard’s availability. Kawhi is undeniably a phenomenal player, capable of dominating both ends of the floor when healthy. However, his consistent unavailability during crucial moments, especially the playoffs, is a significant concern.
Kawhi has missed 53% of playoff games in the last five years. The playoffs are when teams need their best players the most, and that’s why these players are paid millions of dollars. The Clippers keep extending Kawhi’s contract because of his immense talent and the potential impact he can have when he’s on the court. However, the reality is that Leonard’s frequent absences have severely hindered the team’s success during critical periods.
When Kawhi is healthy, his impact is undeniable. He was instrumental in leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level. In the 2020 season, the Clippers were on the verge of reaching the Western Conference Finals, only to squander a 3-1 series lead. Despite the disappointment, Leonard’s presence made a significant difference.
However, the problem lies in Kawhi’s inability to stay healthy consistently. His sporadic availability has prevented fans and the Clippers organization from seeing his best performances over the past few years.
This inconsistency raises legitimate concerns about his participation in the upcoming Olympics. Smith argues that Leonard should prioritize his health and commitment to the Clippers over international competition, especially given his injury history.
Stephen A. Smith’s stance on Kawhi Leonard’s situation is valid. Leonard’s talent is unquestionable, but his availability during crucial moments has been a significant issue. Prioritizing his health and commitment to the Clippers should be the primary focus, ensuring that he can make the most significant impact where it matters most.
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