Kawhi Leonard criticism leads to Bruce Bowen being let go!

The Kahwi Leonard saga was a huge topic of discussion this summer, but it cost one analyst, Bruce Bowen, his job.

Bruce Bowen was let go by the Los Angeles Clippers recently due to criticizing Kawhi Leonard on the radio. It is no secret that Leonard is on the mind of two NBA franchises in Los Angeles.

With the Clippers being one of them and all rumors across the league links Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers, you see how the Clippers have made the first chess move to bring Leonard to their side of the Staples Center.

It seems that Kawhi Leonard’s name cannot stay out of people’s mouths around the NBA and the aftermath of the drama between Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs will not die. After one big trade including All-Stars switching teams, a first-round draft pick in 2019 and bench players being moved, we see there are still hot coals burning from last year’s soap opera.

This has gotten to the point when it’s causing drama on another NBA team and one of their analysts recently. It’s drama that is going to change the way analysts voice their opinions going forward.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Bruce Bowen has apparently lost his position as a TV analyst for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bruce Bowen, a long time member of the San Antonio Spurs, will not be brought back to do analysis work with the Clippers for Fox Sports West. The decision was made reportedly because of Bowen’s criticism of Kawhi Leonard on a radio show in June and how Leonard handled the situation last year concerning his injury.

Here’s the statement concerning Bowen’s status via ESPN

“In the aftermath of critical comments about 2019 free agent target Kawhi Leonard, Bruce Bowen won’t be renewed as the L.A. Clippers television game analyst next season, sources told ESPN.”

Bowen was under contract with Fox Sports West, but the Clippers–like every other organization — have significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents and withheld approval on extending his contract, sources said.

The sides were expected to move forward on a new deal before Bowen’s public comments on Leonard, sources said. Bowen denied comment when reached on Monday.

Sure this concerns the Clippers and you would ask…What does this have to do with the Los Angeles Lakers?

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Well, let me tell you…

This is a dangerous precedent being set here. First off, I am a huge Kawhi Leonard fan. I believe, contrary to popular belief, that a healthy Leonard is the best player in the world, not LeBron James.

Kawhi Leonard is a two time player of the year and was considered, before his injury, easily the best defender on the planet. LeBron has not played consistent solid defense in years (Don’t believe me? Watch last year’s Finals and his nonexistent rotations to the rim during the pick and roll against the Warriors.)

Kawhi Leonard is the best two-way player in basketball…by a mile. Plus his efficiency on offense is ridiculous. LeBron James turns the ball over at a high rate.

Finally, Leonard’s mid-range jump shot is about as wet as Lake Michigan. LeBron James’ shot is just right at average.

That being said, Kawhi Leonard is not above being criticized. Bruce Bowen was brought on a sports radio show to talk about his opinion of sports. That is his job as an NBA analyst. That’s the job of every writer on this website or any website covering sports. We write an article and you, the readers comment on what you think in the comment section. This is how this works. Everyone has an opinion and sometimes people disagree.

Bruce Bowen has made thousands of comments about players in his tenure at Fox Sports West, plus he has done spots on ESPN and countless other media outlets. Analysts sometimes have to be critical of the players, just as long as they keep it professional and don’t cross the line into disrespect.

Let’s break down the comments and see, shall we?

Bruce Bowen on Sirius XM on June 21st…

“I think there’s nothing but excuses going on. First, it was, ‘Well I was misdiagnosed.’ Look here. You got $18 million this year, and you think that they’re trying to rush you? You didn’t play for the most part a full season this year. And you’re the go-to guy, you’re the franchise and you want to say that they didn’t have your best interest at heart? Are you kidding me?”

Okay, we all have to understand that Bruce Bowen is heavily invested emotionally with San Antonio. David Robinson as well, who also had something to say about Kawhi Leonard when asked about the ongoing saga last year.

But let’s be clear here. This is an opinion that can easily be torn to shreds.

Number one, no one knows Kawhi Leonard’s body better than Kawhi. If the man is not comfortable coming back to the NBA floors, he should not. Period.

Number two, it not an analyst’s job to judge or question any player based on their injury. If Leonard says he’s injured, game over… move on. Ask Tony Parker how well that works in motivating Kawhi Leonard to come back. Umm yeah.

Number three, this argument might have gone a lot farther if Isaiah Thomas had not been in the same situation the year before and decided to come back before he physically should have. To put this perspective, when he was traded to the Lakers last year, he should have considered coming back then. Thomas was making six million dollars last year. This year? League minimum.

Let’s button up Bowen’s comments…

“As a player, if I’m a leader of a team, my team goes to the playoffs, I’m with my guys,” he said. “Because that’s what it’s all about. It’s about camaraderie. It’s about fellowship. It’s about brotherhood. When that didn’t happen, it’s all kinds of sirens and alarm signals that says to me, ‘Is this person really vested?’ …I don’t want to take on a player who’s not willing to support his guys during the course of their time needing him.”

Okay, DeMar DeRozan was reportedly livid about being traded out of Toronto. Does Bowen have evidence that he’s fully vested? Plus, as of this writing, there were no reports of any fines of Leonard being away from the team for rehab. So, obviously, the Spurs had no issues with him not being with the team. Again, Bowen’s opinion but should it get him removed from his position?

It is a convenient coincidence that the Clippers are one of the two teams (Lakers being the other) trying to lock in Kawhi Leonard in free agency next summer. Maybe this is a message to Leonard, maybe not.

This could change the way NBA analysts deal with superstars going forward. Even though there was plenty to Bowen’s comments that are less than transparent and completely threw Leonard under the bus, this does not warrant a firing. If that was the case, there are going to a ton of NBA jobs open…

Including mine.