Former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway angered San Antonio Spurs fans when he declared that versatile Kawhi Leonard is only a “good player” and not a superstar. In an interview on Sirius XM's NBA show "Bottomline,” Hardaway was asked if Leonard is a superstar, to which he replied “Superstar? No.” Hardaway added that Leonard cannot be considered a superstar “because he has no interest in being the face of the league or starring in TV commercials.” Hardaway also called Leonard a “good player,” but he doesn't consider him a superstar player.
Last season, Leonard averaged 25.5 points per game and placed third in the MVP voting behind winner Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Harden of the Houston Rockets.
He led the Spurs to a spot in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 1, the Spurs were on their way to a huge win, but Leonard suffered an ankle injury, allowing the Warriors to come back. Leonard missed the entire series, giving the Warriors an easy pass to the NBA Finals via sweep.
Hardaway clarified his statement
On Monday, Hardaway took to Instagram to clarify his comments, saying they were taken out of context. He added that he considers the Spurs superstar as the “best two way player in the league.” On his Instagram account, Hardaway urged the people to calm down, saying he never said that Kawhi wasn't a superstar. The former Magic player said he knows that Leonard is a legitimate NBA superstar, but he only stated that he doesn't like the media and endorsement side of being a super star.
Recently, basketball legend Michael Jordan also called Leonard as the “best two way player in the league” during one of his basketball clinics.
Hardaway was on his way to being a superstar
Hardaway was on his way to being a superstar, making it to four All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams in his first six seasons with the Orlando Magic.
He averaged in the double figures in nine of his first 10 NBA seasons, six with the Magic and four with the Phoenix Suns. However, injuries took their toll on Hardaway’s body, affecting his performance.
Midway through the 2003-04 season, the Suns traded him to the New York Knicks where he played from 2004 to 2006. In 2007, he signed a veteran’s minimum deal with the Miami Heat, reuniting him with his former Magic teammate Shaquille O’Neal. After 16 games, he was waived by the Heat to create a spot for free agent Luke Jackson.
