"Part Timers Talking Like Starters" - Clippers Fans Tear Into Kawhi Leonard For Demanding More Talent After Loss to Lakers

Kawhi Leonard received flak for his post game comments after the LA Clippers lost 135-118 to the LA Lakers in Tuesday's NBA Cup group game, dropping to 5-13. A reporter asked the two-time NBA champion about the team's repeated struggles since the second week, and he initially suggested that the team didn't have enough talent.

Leonard also hinted that the Clippers needed ideal lineups on the court to survive runs.

"Just gotta get the right lineups on the court, I guess," he said (via Clippers beat reporter Joey Linn). "Get some more talent. Play with better talent and see what happens."

His answer caught the reporter by surprise, too, who asked Leonard if he meant that LA needs a talent push externally or from within the current roster. Leonard clarified his response, saying:

“I’m saying like playing better. Like, we all just gotta play better. Make shots, move the ball a little bit more, trust one another and just get better."

Leonard's assessment infuriated fans, who are already frustrated with his injury problems. He's missed 11 games this season despite a healthy offseason after a 37-game year in 2024-25. It's one of the primary reasons why the Clippers are eight games under .500.

Despite Kawhi Leonard clarifying his comment, several Clippers fans held onto his "talent" demand, assuming that he wanted the front office to improve his supporting cast. Here's how they reacted:

APHoops

@APH00PS

@joeylinn_ The team was nearly 50-40-90 from the floor today. You lost you let the other team shoot 60-50-90 and cause of the turnovers and rebounds. “Get some more talent.” Brother, the team is done building around you.

Benjamin B Miller

@BBMiller31

Part timers talking like starters.

G.Multani

@geemultani24

@joeylinn_ $60 million dollar player asking for more talent lmao

Boston Sports Bros

@BosSportsBros

@joeylinn_ Maybe he needs to get on the court first

maktuub

@itsMaktuub

@joeylinn_ Kawhi doesn’t misspeak btw, this was 100% intentional. He didn’t get caught….he’s sending a message. Reporter should’ve asked him, aren’t you supposed to be the 60 million dollar /year talent?

J

@dockery58

@joeylinn_ It would drive me up a wall rooting for him every season. Why care when your most important player obviously doesn’t?

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Clippers coach Ty Lue also seemingly took shots at Kawhi Leonard

While fans have been vocal about Kawhi Leonard's unavailability, especially amid a losing run, Clippers coach Ty Lue also made direct statements on it. Before Tuesday's game against the Lakers, he didn't hold back on the star's injury woes when addressing the "next man up" mentality.

"I know a lot of people say 'next man up' but if [your best player] is making $60 million and your next man is making $400,000, it's not really the same," Lue said (via Clippers beat writer Law Murray).

Underdog NBA

@UnderdogNBA

Ty Lue on "next man up" mentality, via @LawMurrayTheNU: "I know a lot of people say 'next man up' but if [your best player] is making $60 million and your next man is making $400,000, it's not really the same."

The Clippers were considered among the Western Conference's top teams after a busy summer, adding John Collins, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Brook Lopez to bolster their depth. They had one of the best preseasons, too.

However, things quickly went off the rails for LA as Paul and Lopez's performances didn't translate to the regular season, while Beal played only six games before being ruled out for the year with a hip injury.

The Clippers looked deep on paper, but it wasn't the case anymore. LA needs its stars, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, on the floor more than ever, and if either misses time, the Clippers don't have enough depth to stay afloat.