When NBA legends speak, NBA fans listen. Sometimes, they say something that will incite controversy. Recently, an NBA legend had a pretty bold take about a member of the LA Clippers.
You may know him as Metta World Peace. Alternatively, you may know him as Ron Artest - or, if you're keeping close tabs, Metta Sandiford-Artest. If you know anything about him, you know he won't be afraid to speak his mind.
Sandiford-Artest has always been larger than life. Still, if he's talking about basketball, we should listen. After all, Sandiford-Artest is one of the better defensive players in NBA history. Recently, he had some high praise for Kawhi Leonard
NBA legend calls Clippers' Kawhi Leonard the best player in the NBA
Who is the best player in the NBA? Most will quickly answer with Nikola Jokic. Some will insist on Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokoumnpo. After that trio, it's hard to make a case for anybody.
Unless your name is Metta Sandiford-Artest. In that event, you're going with Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi is not the MVP, but he is the best in the league .
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) March 13, 2024
We're going to take this several grains of salt. Sandiford-Artest is a former NBAer. That comes with unavoidable biases. In all likelihood, he sees a bit of himself in Leonard.
After all, Sandiford-Artest was a two-way wing much like Leonard. Granted, Leonard has reached heights that Sandiford-Artest never could. He's a comfortably superior offensive player.
Still, he more closely resembles the man formerly known as World Peace than someone like Jokic. Is Sandiford-Artest strictly blowing hot air?
Does Sandiford-Artest have a point about LA Clippers star?
The best player in the world is Nikola Jokic. That shouldn't be controversial. He's the best player on the defending champions, and he's producing offense on a historic level.
That said, it's easy to dismiss Leonard. He's been the poster child for load management for a few years. Let's take a moment to remember who Leonard was before he joined the LA Clippers.
Leonard was a walking, talking NBA championship. He was the best two-way player in basketball. That's a title we'll never give Jokic despite his defensive improvements.
So - Sandiford-Artest is entitled to his opinion. As far as controversy goes, this is mild. Most won't agree that Leonard is the best basketball player in the world, but if the Clippers make a championship run in 2023-24, he could re-open that conversation.
We'll already know where Metta Sandiford-Artest stands.