As part of Wednesday morning's airing of ESPN's “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith claimed that Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard made a challenge to LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers:
“I was told by a very reliable source that Kawhi Leonard sat up there and said, ‘Somebody tell LeBron to stop being scared to guard me. That's what they said — that Kawhi is walking around feeling (that way).”
A source told @stephenasmith that Kawhi said "someone tell LeBron stop being scared to guard me!" pic.twitter.com/Aa1EELqZ8W
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 8, 2020
Whether or not LeBron James knows of this challenge (or if it's even true) is not known.
While the Lakers are 30-7, the Clippers have gotten the better of them in each of their two meetings this season. Furthermore, some drama was recently stirred up when a trainer of Leonard and Kyle Kuzma talked smack about Kawhi's dominance in the most recent matchup.
On Christmas, Kawhi led the Clippers to a 111-106 victory over the Lakers, racking up a game-high 35 points (11 in the fourth quarter alone). James finished just one rebound shy of a triple-double (23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds). Their next meeting comes later this month (Jan. 28).
Leonard joined the Clippers this summer after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history. Alongside Paul George, who also joined the team this offseason, LA is being viewed as a top contender.
The Clippers will be back in action on Friday night, when they'll serve as hosts to the Golden State Warriors. Tip-off inside the Staples Center is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.
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