Stephen A. Blasts Kawhi, Won’t Pair Him With LeBron

Stephen A. Smith Sparks Debate: Kawhi Leonard Not the Ideal Partner for LeBron James

The NBA offseason continues to churn with speculation, and Stephen A. Smith, never one to shy away from a bold take, has ignited a firestorm regarding the potential pairing of Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers. In a segment on ESPN’s First Take, Smith emphatically stated that he wouldn’t even consider Leonard among the top three players he’d pair with LeBron, a stance that has sent shockwaves through the basketball community.

The Toronto Dilemma and LA Ambitions

The conversation began with whispers around the league suggesting that neither Jimmy Butler nor Kawhi Leonard is keen on playing with LeBron James. However, Smith argued that if Kawhi’s ultimate goal is to win championships in Los Angeles, playing alongside LeBron is a necessity. He also touched on the Toronto Raptors’ championship potential, acknowledging that while it’s an uphill battle, they have a chance to contend this year. Should they fall short, or even if they succeed and Kawhi decides to leave, the allure of playing in his hometown of LA looms large.

“You can’t have your cake and eat it too like ‘Oh, I don’t want to be in LeBron’s shadow.’ Well, LeBron is better than you.”

Smith questioned the logic behind avoiding LeBron’s shadow, asserting that if the goal is to win, playing with LeBron is the path, even if it means being the second option. He posited that if Kawhi were to join the Clippers, he might avoid LeBron’s shadow but would still be in the same market, without the championship upside. The alternative, Smith suggested, is embracing the opportunity to form a historically dominant duo with LeBron in LA.

A “Baddest Duo” That Smith Won’t Endorse

The potential of LeBron and Kawhi playing together is a tantalizing prospect for many, with Smith himself acknowledging that they could form “the baddest duo since Kobe and Shaq, at least if not Jordan and Pettit.” However, this is where his argument takes a sharp turn.

Smith’s Top Three Picks Over Kawhi for LeBron

Despite acknowledging Kawhi Leonard as a “great, great, top five player in the NBA,” Smith believes there are three players he would unequivocally choose over Kawhi to partner with LeBron. These players are Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson.

• Anthony Davis: Smith trusts Davis’s ability to complement LeBron’s game.
• Kevin Durant: Another player Smith believes would mesh seamlessly with LeBron.
• Klay Thompson: The sharpshooting Warriors guard is also favored over Leonard.

Smith clarified that this isn’t a knock on Kawhi’s skills, particularly his defensive prowess, which he readily admits is elite. His reservation lies with Kawhi’s offensive assertiveness and perceived lack of killer instinct in crunch time, drawing a parallel to his previous critiques of Lonzo Ball’s perceived lack of tenacity.

“I don’t trust him offensively… I’m talking about somebody that I take the ball and I say ‘Take me to the promised land.’ I don’t trust him with LeBron.”

He elaborated that while Kawhi is an exceptional player, LeBron’s playmaking ability and closing skills are unparalleled. In high-pressure, end-of-game situations, Smith prefers a “bonafide shot maker and assassin” – a role he feels Davis, Durant, and Thompson are more reliably suited for alongside LeBron than Leonard.

The “Showtime” Factor and Evolving Game

The debate then shifted to the evolution of the game and the concept of “hero ball.” Smith argued that the 1990s style of play, which emphasized individual scoring prowess in clutch moments, might be what some fans envision, but the modern game, and LeBron’s specific skillset, demands a different approach. He pointed out that LeBron’s teams often function better with him on the floor at the end of games.

On the other hand, the counter-argument was presented that Kawhi has already proven himself as the best offensive player on a championship team, highlighting his ability to carry a team offensively. The question of whether Kawhi’s “killer instinct” is evident in his play, or if it’s more of a defensive-first mentality that has developed into offensive excellence, was raised.

Defining the Best Two-Way Player

The discussion concluded with an attempt to define the best two-way player in the game. While Anthony Davis was suggested, Smith ultimately leaned towards Kevin Durant, with Davis remaining a close contender. This highlights the elite tier of talent being discussed, even as Smith maintains his controversial stance on Kawhi’s fit with LeBron.

Looking Ahead

Stephen A. Smith’s strong opinions set the stage for a season-long debate about player pairings and championship aspirations. Whether Kawhi Leonard ends up in Los Angeles, and if he were to join LeBron, how they would truly mesh, remains one of the most compelling storylines heading into the NBA season. Smith’s take, however, adds a significant layer of intrigue, suggesting that not all superstar pairings are created equal in his eyes.

Source: Kawhi Leonard wouldn’t mesh with LeBron on the Lakers – Stephen A First Take (YouTube)