LA Clippers: Is Kawhi Leonard the closet thing to Michael Jordan today?

LA Clippers’ forward Kawhi Leonard has often been compared to Michael Jordan because of their similar play styles, but are the two all that similar?

Over the years since his retirement, speculation has followed as to which player will become the “next Michael Jordan.” Kobe Bryant is the clear cut answer for all-time comparisons, as the two played the same position and possessed nearly an identical style of play. However, Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers typically has received that title today among many.

The hot take that started it all likely came from LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who at the time, discussed Kawhi Leonard when he was a member of the Toronto Raptors. In June of 2019, Rivers spoke on Stephen A. Smith’s Final’s preview show and turned some heads with a Michael Jordan, Kawhi Leonard comparison.

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“He’s the most like Jordan that we’ve seen. Not that he is Jordan or anything like that, but he’s the most like him. Big hands, post-game, can finish, great leaper, great defender, in-between game.”

Leonard himself eventually embraced the comparison as he stated, “For sure, he’s a guy I studied.”

The two time Finals MVP also added, “He’s obviously one of the guys that everyone looks up to just from a competitive standpoint, how he approached every game. You just try to nitpick what you can take from him and bring it into yourself.”

Are the comparisons justifiable though between the two? In some aspects, yes.

Kawhi stated that he had studied Jordan throughout his career, and it is evident, particularly in his offensive game. Leonard has showcased the footwork and the Jordan-esque moves, which has elevated him into one of the league’s top offensive threats, particularly in his mid-range game.

The Leonard/Jordan comparisons continued to show on the defensive end as well, as both players have racked up their fair share of accolades. Throughout their tenures, both have collected at least one Defensive Player of the Year award, Steals Champion, and All-Defensive Team Honors.

Jordan has achieved more of them because Leonard is only 28-years-old and placed directly in the middle of his prime, but the similarities are often on full display. With a long career ahead of him, Kawhi will undoubtedly earn more awards for the LA Clippers.

So, is Kawhi Leonard’s resume, body type, and versatile skill-set enough to call him the modern-day Michael Jordan? No.

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Although they share a similar basketball arsenal, there are significant differences between the two. The first and most apparent is the position. Jordan was a shooting guard and Leonard a forward, which is one of the most discussed aspects when Kobe Bryant gets compared to Jordan because it becomes easier to compare.

The next argument against Leonard comes from their stature in the league. Jordan was always regarded as the best player on the court every single night, no matter who was playing. His five league MVP awards speak for themselves, something Leonard is yet to acquire any of to this point. Kawhi often gets disregarded when it is discussed who the best player league is today, even if an argument is possible.

Leonard better fits with a comparison to Jordan’s longtime running mate Scottie Pippen, who did indeed play the same position. Both Kawhi and Pippen typically received the title of one of the top three or four players in the league during their careers at some point, but never the solidified best. The difference is Scottie played second-fiddle to Jordan, and Leonard has proven to be the first option on a championship team.

Still, Pippen’s defensive resume has matched up nicely to Leonard as he also has collected the NBA’s Steal Champion Award, and All-Defensive Honors an astonishing ten times. Pippen never earned a Defensive Player of the Year Award like Leonard has twice, but he arguably deserved at least one.

With their similar positions, career achievements, and stature in the league, Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen should be compared rather than Leonard and Michael Jordan. The late Kobe Bryant created an image that he was Jordan 2.0 because their play styles were near-identical; they played the same positions, and they secured the title as the best player in the league. Nobody has ever come close to having surpassed that in the league today with how much that game has evolved.