Kawhi Leonard is not a superstar in the eyes of Penny Hardaway.
Actually, strike that, yes he is.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA radio, the 14-year, retired NBA veteran was asked about whether the San Antonio Spurs’ best player, and 2014 NBA Finals MVP, and 2016 runner-up MVP, was a superstar. His response was…interesting and misinterpreted, per the San Antonio Express-News‘ Jabari Young and SLAM:
I respect the viewpoint… even if you don't agree…respectful thoughts? #Spurs pic.twitter.com/1dBOkJlbQ9
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) August 14, 2017
Penny Hardaway update: "I only stated that [Kawhi] doesn't like the media and endorsement side of being a superstar" https://t.co/8HtS3JL9SA pic.twitter.com/jQ5VJDMLBG
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) August 14, 2017
Inadvertently or not, Hardaway touches upon an interesting dynamic within the large superstar discussion. Some people associate that status with celebrity—with off-court clout. Leonard doesn’t have it. His persona is something else entirely: that of a quiet giant-slayer. He is not the face of the NBA, nor will he ever be the face of the NBA. That has as much to do with LeBron James’ reign as it does Leonard’s personality, but it’s true.
Still, Leonard is a superstar. That much we should all know. He doesn’t need nationally aired TV commercials. I get the sentiment. He has not become some cultural icon. It’s fine to recognize that. But this has nothing to do with his on-court impact. And if we’re talking about a superstar player—operative word being player—off-court fame should have nothing to do it.
And besides: We can’t boil this down to whether Leonard wants to be the face of the league. That’s not really his choice. And even if were, we can’t penalize everyone who isn’t the face of the NBA. Only one, maybe up to five, players get to do that at a time. The more marketable superstars will naturally gravitate towards those roles. That isn’t Leonard. Again, it’s fine to say that.
Assuming this viewpoint, though, misses the mark on superstardom. Hardaway is essentially making two separate points. Leonard is a superstar, but he’ll never be a face-of-the-league superstar. Period. End of story. Let’s get on with our lives.
