LA Clippers: Maybe Kawhi Leonard is a “fun guy” after all?

LA Clippers’ superstar Kawhi Leonard has jokingly earned the nickname “fun guy” because of his seeming lack of personality, but has he fooled the world?

Throughout his entire NBA tenure, LA Clippers’ forward Kawhi Leonard has received the label of the quiet player who is all business and could care less about his image. The most significant example of this is that Leonard drove a 1997 Chevy Tahoe during the 2016 season, a year in which he made over $16 million.

However, although never fully showcased to the public, Leonard’s “fun guy” personality has peaked out every once in awhile more recently. Most notably during his introductory press conference with the Toronto Raptors, where he became the self-proclaimed “fun guy,” but also at their championship parade, where Kawhi poked fun at himself and mocked his own laugh.

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Still, when you just won your second NBA Finals-MVP and brought the Toronto Raptors their first-ever title, you are allowed to have some fun.

Leonard also does not have any dedicated social media accounts, and typically sticks to himself about his life outside of the NBA. For the most part, Kawhi appeared to be one of the league’s most genuine and down to earth players.

After these incidents, it seemed ironic that such a personality deprived person such as Leonard would choose to go to a massively marketed place like Los Angeles. With the spotlight aimed directly at him, especially with the rise of the rival Los Angeles Lakers, many were confused.

However, one of Leonard’s veteran teammates on the Clippers revealed that No. 2 might be more in-depth and personality-filled than what people have seen on the surface. In a recent discussion with ESPN’s Ros Gold-Onwude, Leonard’s teammate Lou Williams opened up on what the two-time Finals MVP is like when the cameras are off.

"“Kawhi talks the most in our group chat, believe it or not. The dude is a leader. I don’t know where he got pegged as this guy that doesn’t talk or whatever. I think he’s trolling a little bit when he does that.”"

Williams continued to say there is a fun-loving side of Leonard’s personality sealed off from the fans and media but reserved for his teammates and family. Williams ultimately described this side of Kawhi’s personality as “hilarious.”

In case any further proof was needed, teammate Paul George detailed earlier this season his overall thoughts on Leonard and his intriguing persona after having joined a few months prior.

"“He does all the things you would want your guy to do. … Works hard, great teammate, great locker room guy. He actually does talk. He’s a fun guy. The legend’s true.”"

Friends, family, and teammates aside, the rest of the world may never see the genuine side of Kawhi Leonard, but that is just fine. Led by the business-driven Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers elevated to a top-tier team and are among one of the league’s title favorite this season, if not the overall favorite.

As long as Leonard and the Clippers continue to win, things in LA are going to be just fine. The NBA season might remain suspended for now, but watch out for the “fun guy” and the Clippers whenever play resumes.