On ‘The Hoop Collective,’ Tim Bontemps was adamant that the LA Clippers’ franchise superstar, Kawhi Leonard, should be on the first-team All-NBA. He’s been outstanding so far, and fans couldn’t agree with Bontemps more, especially after he picked Leonard over stars like Jaylen Brown and Anthony Edwards. But, a few months ago, it seemed like a lost cause that the two-time champion would receive this type of recognition, and the Clippers’ record was the primary reason.
Rightfully so, no player, regardless of who they are or how they are performing, on a squad that’s 6-21 deserves one of the most prestigious selections the NBA gives out; winning is the number one criterion that must be met, and Leonard was far off in the middle of December.
Well, Leonard found a way to satisfy the requirement, as the Clippers are above .500 and the eighth seed.
It would be criminal not to have Kawhi Leonard on the All-NBA First-Team
When watching superstars in the NBA, it’s ridiculously easy to differentiate those who are All-NBA first-team-caliber versus those who belong on lower tiers. The process of elimination dwindles down to selecting the most dominant, valuable, and durable, whose production is leading to wins.
Regarding Kawhi Leonard, his performances suggest he is the epitome of a first-team player. He presents the whole nine yards, making it clear why Tim Bontemps was firm in his opinion.
In 51 games, Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, shooting 50.3% from the field and 38.0% from beyond the arc. It gets better: defensively, he's at 2.0 steals per game, with 3.5 deflections, which is insane for a guy that's the heart and soul of a team's offense.
But if you roll the tape, opponents are treating him like one of the best in the league, and he’s still making them pay.
The LA Clippers’ eight-point win against the New York Knicks is an excellent example. Mike Brown’s game plan was to go out on a limb and double-team Leonard at every opportunity, thinking he would collapse.
As Leonard recorded 29 points and eight assists, Brown was clearly mistaken. The seven-time All-Star was surgical, picking apart the Knicks, who, for reference, have a top-eight defensive rating in the league.
Overall, Leonard’s 2025-26 campaign screams first-team All-NBA. It’s not even a want for fans of the Clippers to see him there; it’s a need. The only hurdle that should stand in his way is the 65-game check box.