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Nick Wright: Kawhi Leonard is the Fourth-Best Player in Los Angeles Right Now

By Kyle Koster | Nov 21 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Paul George #13 Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard #2 during overtime against Boston Celtics at Staples Center on November 20, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. It was the first time this season the pair played together after joining the Clippers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Clippers | Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

After Kawhi Leonard decided to join the Clippers, there was plenty of proactive chatter discussing how the defending champ was going to show up in Los Angeles and usurp the keys to the city from LeBron James and the Lakers. That has not happened. James is playing a vintage brand of ball and Leonard has been rather pedestrian when he's decided to take the court.

Throw in the stellar start from Anthony Davis and the return of a productive Paul George and the world is left to realize that, right now, Leonard is the fourth-best player in L.A.

At least the world according to First Things First's Nick Wright.

This may be true. Leonard's counting stats are impressive as he's averaging 25.8 points and career-highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (5.7). But it's taking him over 21 shots per night and he's connecting a dreadful 43 percent of them, far and away the worst marksmanship of his career.

This will probably not be true at the time it matters. Everything the Clippers and Leonard are doing shows they only care about the playoffs, when a matchup of these two emerging powerhouses is very likely. The bragging rights and bar room debates may, in fact, be settled on the court. If so, that'll be a boon to the league and the sports-talking ecosystem that feeds off its oxygen.