Retraction: The actual story is here. The below tweet from Jabari Young contained a misquote from CluchPoints.com that was either entirely fabricated, or simply badly executed. (Here’s what Penny actually said, "Superstar? I’m not doing to discount, neither. I love Kawhi. What I’m trying to say, superstar — You know what, I could give Kawhi superstar because he’s just not a guy who likes commercials. He’s not a guy who wants to be the face of the league. He just wants to get his work done.")
Kawhi Leonard just had the best season of his young career. He finished third in MVP voting and led the Spurs to a 61-21 record. Somehow that’s not enough, because Penny Hardaway still isn’t convinced that Leonard is a NBA superstar.
I respect the viewpoint... even if you don't agree...respectful thoughts? #Spurs pic.twitter.com/1dBOkJlbQ9
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) August 14, 2017
Hardaway thinks Leonard “isn’t a superstar” because he “has no interest in being the face of the league or starring in TV commercials.” Hardaway was considered a star in his time and certainly starred in his share of commercials. But tying superstar status to off-the-court activity is an ... interesting subjective measure. Leonard is without a doubt one of the top five players in the league; will he have to win the MVP before people stop taking these kinds of shots?