LA Clippers: Thoughts on Kawhi Leonard’s position on the ESPN all-time list

2014 Ring & FMVP:

The main argument for everything. Do not get me wrong, winning titles is what matters the most in the league; that is the ultimate goal for every player, coach, or team. It is a valid argument only when used correctly. Seeing arguments such as Leonard carrying the Raptors is very misleading. Or how if he wins a ring with the LA Clippers this year, then that would jump him to top-15.

Although Leonard did win the FMVP in 2014, because of his defense on LeBron James, that again is misleading. In that series, James averaged 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals on a great 67.9 percent true shooting. Is that locking someone down?

Okay, maybe he was carrying them offensively? Unless you call 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists carrying the offensive load, then yes you could say that.

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat in such a fashion was because of a great team effort and lights-out shooting and the fact that no one on the Heat could make a shot outside of James and Chris Bosh.

That is one ring and FMVP that is misleading to the majority of fans.

2019 Ring & FMVP:

Remember how at the start of the 2018-19 season, Leonard was ranked 76th by SLAM? Well, this ring must be the reason why he is ranked so highly now. It all started when he ended up being traded to the Raptors.

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After suffering injuries, losing trust in the Spurs, and perhaps, falling out with many teammates, Leonard found himself with a fresh start in Canada. Now, on the ESPN list, they said: “he showed last season he can carry an entire franchise… at the expense of the Warriors’ dynasty”.

Carry an entire franchise… Warriors’ dynasty? What?

Let’s get that straight, he did not carry the entire franchise. Although the Raptors never made any real noise in the Eastern Conference prior to that season (James was the reason for that), let’s not assume that they were a weak team.

Outside of Leonard, the team was still filled with many crucial veterans such as Kyle Lowry (who is arguably the best point guard in the East), Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Pascal Siakam (the season he was breaking out), and many great role players. Leonard did not join an eight-seeded team. He joined a team that was one win away from winning 60.

Should I remind you that the Raptors were 15-5 when Leonard did not play (him missing 20 games is almost as much as James last season)?

That is regular-season though, he was getting ready to carry in the playoffs. Right?

I will admit, him versus the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers was special, but that is where it stops. After that, it was more team-effort, and quite frankly, some were on the Milwaukee Bucks not being able to hit anything. While we are on the topic, let’s just stop the motion that he shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo. That is all.

Now, we get to the finals. If he had won against a healthy Kevin Durant or even a fully healthy Klay Thompson, then this ring would mean more, but that is not the case. Durant was out for all but a couple of minutes and Thompson missed one game then left game six with a torn ACL. If both were healthy, he would not have a ring in my opinion. If just Thompson was healthy for game six, then I believe they go to game seven and anything can happen then.

But even without mentioning any what-ifs, you can see that it was not entirely just Leonard. Although he still put up great numbers, 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.0 steals, he did so on quite lower efficiency compared to his standards.

That is not to say he did not deserve the FMVP or any praise, it is just the fact that he is getting way too much praise for things that were not entirely because of him.