Kawhi Leonard’s All-Star Showcase Speaks Volumes - Even If Stephen A. Smith Isn’t Listening
Kawhi Leonard didn’t just show up to the All-Star Game - he put on a clinic. In just 12 minutes of action, the Clippers' franchise cornerstone dropped 31 points on a blistering 11-of-13 shooting, added two steals, and reminded everyone exactly who he is: one of the most efficient, cold-blooded scorers in the league when he’s locked in. It was vintage Kawhi - quiet, lethal, and wildly effective.
But instead of celebrating one of the night’s most dominant performances, the focus in some circles shifted elsewhere. On First Take, Stephen A. Smith took Leonard’s All-Star brilliance and used it as a launching pad for a familiar critique - questioning Kawhi’s availability when it matters most: the postseason.
“In April- Am I gonna see him then?” Smith asked. “I don’t want to see this now and April comes and your ass is nowhere to be found.”
It’s a soundbite designed to stir the pot, but it runs counter to the facts - particularly when you look at what Leonard did in the 2025 playoffs. He was there.
Every night. In a grueling series against the Denver Nuggets, Leonard logged heavy minutes - averaging 37.7 per game - and delivered the kind of performances that have defined his career.
This isn’t a player coasting on reputation. He’s still producing at an elite level, both offensively and defensively, when the lights are brightest.
And let’s not forget the résumé: two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and a track record of playoff dominance that puts him in rare company. Leonard has already proven he’s built for the postseason. The narrative that he disappears when it counts just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Clippers fans know this. They’ve seen how Leonard elevates when the stakes rise, and they’ve heard these criticisms before.
They’ve also kept the receipts. Every time someone doubts Kawhi’s commitment or questions his love for the game, it gets logged.
And when he inevitably silences the noise with another playoff run, those takes come back around.
This season, Leonard is on pace for what could be his most explosive postseason yet. He’s averaging 27.9 points over 41 games - his best scoring season - and he’s doing it with ruthless efficiency.
What makes this year even more intriguing is the context: for the first time in his Clippers tenure, he won’t have another superstar beside him. That means the offense - and a good chunk of the defense - will run through him.
And if you’ve followed Leonard’s career, you know what that usually means: takeover mode.
Tyronn Lue understands the assignment. He knows that if the Clippers are going to make a deep run and finally chase down that elusive Finals berth, it starts and ends with Leonard.
His usage rate will be high, and that’s not a red flag - it’s a formula for winning. Leonard thrives when the ball is in his hands and the pressure is on.
So while the hot takes might keep coming, the tape doesn’t lie. Kawhi Leonard is still that guy. And if his All-Star performance was any indication, he’s not easing into the postseason - he’s ramping up for something big.
Come April, we’ll see who’s still talking - and who’s still playing.