Another player added to Stephen A. Smith’s “worst superstar” list? Not yet. But an ex-NBA player feels that the Denver Nuggets star should also feature in Smith’s infamous list. The ESPN analyst recently went off, calling Clippers star Kawhi Leonard the “worst superstar.” Kenyon Martin believes that Smith should have also added the 3x NBA Most Valuable Player. However, he did have a few words of praise for the basketball star’s efforts. 

Sitting in his usual spot at the studio of Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, Martin suggested that the description Smith used for the “worst superstar” fits Nuggets star Nikola Jokic well. However, he praised Jokic for his efforts. This was something both Gilbert Arenas and Brandon Jennings agreed with. 

“The other person that fits what Stephen A. is saying is Nikola. He’s trying but Kawhi ain’t even trying. He ain’t even tried to get people a glimpse of who he might be as a person right. Nikola is showing some personality in the commercial…like the whole Minions and Gru thing like that s**t is hilarious yeah for sure he’s trying cuz somebody said that he looked like he like oh s**t now let’s start dressing like him,” Martin said.

Both Jokic and Leonard are known for their serious public personas. Jokic even has an ambivalent attitude toward basketball, with many hilariously suggesting that the NBA is his part-time job. In fact, his own admission of wanting to leave for his home after the NBA season ended also only supports this theory many seem to have. He was visibly upset over playing an extra two and a half months last year. Well, he signed a 5-year deal worth $264 million in 2022.

Martin also noted that Jokic tries to promote his brand by occasionally showing his personality, recalling the time when Jokic dressed as ‘Gru’ from Despicable Me on the day of a playoff opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in April. Praising his efforts, Martin called it hilarious. 

And when speaking of Leonard, he suggested that even his smile could be capitalized on. Yet, there haven’t been many times when we’ve seen Leonard’s personality on display.

Stephen A. Smith harshly criticized Kawhi Leonard

Smith expressed frustration with the frequent absence of the Los Angeles Clippers star. While he acknowledged Leonard’s superstar status on the court, Smith was disappointed by his ongoing injuries. This frustration came after Leonard was sidelined in the Clippers’ first game. Leonard had also opted out of the Olympics and is currently dealing with inflammation in his right knee.

“I can make a legitimate argument that Kawhi Leonard is the worst superstar in the history of any sport. You can’t have somebody like that and it’s beneficial. Who’s going to miss work half the time and does absolutely nothing to promote your product or your brand,” Smith said.

He further added, “He is a poster child for what not to be as a star in any sport. Period. And I mean it. And I seen him in the arena last night, him and his uncle and everybody else and I told them to their face. The worst. The worst!”

Just when fans thought they were finally seeing the real persona of the Clippers star, he was almost unrecognizable. Ahead of the Olympics, he was spotted vacationing in Costa Rica, and netizens struggled to recognize the basketball star when photos of him were released.

This isn’t the first time Smith has voiced his dissatisfaction. Last year, he called Leonard the “worst superstar” and even suggested he consider retirement. The Clippers star may be one more injury away from being called out by the ESPN analyst to step down. But only time will tell if ‘The Joker’ also becomes a part of this infamous list.