Stephen A Smith doubled down on his criticism of Kawhi Leonard following the Clippers’ exit from the Play-In Tournament. The Clippers’ season came to an end on Wednesday when they lost 126-121 to the Golden State Warriors.

Leonard had a good game, but he did not show up as a superstar to help the Clippers extend their run. He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 8 of 17 shooting.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith flamed the two-time NBA champion on the Thursday episode of “First Take.”

“I think he is a superstar player when healthy. I think he is the worst superstar in the history of basketball if not the history of sports,” Smith said. “I’ve said it many times and I am gonna say it again. The operative word is ‘superstar.’ We know he is a superstar player, but when it comes to the responsibilities of leading, of galvanizing, and representing a brand, etc. He doesn’t do that.”

Kawhi Leonard was having the best season of his Clippers career. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season. He has spent six seasons in LA and has averaged more than 26 points only twice.

Despite Leonard playing 65 games, the second most of his Clippers career, they finished the season in 9th place in the Western Conference standings with a 42-40 record.

Kawhi Leonard declines to commit to a future with the Clippers

Kawhi Leonard’s time at the Clippers might be nearing its end. The two-time champion refused to commit to a future in LA when asked about it during a postgame presser.

“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more,” he said. “We’re going to have our discussions when that time comes.”

Kawhi Leonard’s sixth season with the Clippers was marred by controversy. In September, independent journalist Pablo Torre accused Leonard of playing a part in a scheme the Clippers owner, Steve Ballmer, designed to circumvent the league salary cap.

He was accused of receiving money not listed in his contract through an endorsement deal in which he did no work in return. The accusations grew serious with the evidence Torre presented on his podcast in the same month.

The Clippers and Leonard’s camp denied the allegations, but it did not stop the NBA from launching an investigation in September. The investigation has not concluded, and if Leonard is found guilty, he risks his contract getting voided and becoming a free agent.