Stephen A. Smith has never been one to bite his tongue. Whether he is telling it how it is with regards to Lonzo Ball, or issuing bold challenges to Kyrie Irving, the ESPN sports analyst always keeps it very, very real.
This week, Smith turned his fire on the Los Angeles Clippers.
More specifically, the Clippers and the team’s biggest star, Kawhi Leonard.
As far as Smith is concerned, LA’s other basketball has consistently overpromised and underdelivered in the Kawhi Leonard Era.
“I also know it’s time for Kawhi Leonard to get a whole bunch of attention pushed in his direction,” Smith said.
“It’s time for him to step up. A lot was promised because of him. A new era for the Clippers because of him but so far he’s been disappointing, that’s not a new era, that’s the same old Clippers… He owes us him versus LeBron in the postseason, anything else is unacceptable.”
It’s hard to argue with Smith’s general point. Although Leonard has been fairly open and honest regarding the Clippers’ struggles, he hasn’t done a ton to fix them.
Kevin Durant doesn’t miss. https://t.co/gKmHI7yGne
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 14, 2021
The Clippers are currently 26-15 through 41 games – good for fourth place in the Western Conference. Despite the Los Angeles Lakers losing their second-best player in Anthony Davis, the Clippers have been unable to top them in the standings.
On the bright side, the Clippers are in talks for at least one blockbuster trade. If they can get it done before March 25th – everything might change.
But if they don’t, this could turn into yet another very disappointing season. And if 2021 ends in similar fashion to 2020, the Clippers may go down as one of the most frustrating super teams of all time.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
