Kawhi Leonard says boos from Lakers fans didn’t bother him during home debut with Clippers

In a tradition as old as time, Lakers fans at Staples Center serenaded Kawhi Leonard with boos after he opted not to sign with them in free agency this past summer. To make matters worse, Leonard signed with their inner-city rivals, the LA Clippers, instead.

It should go without saying, but they booed Leonard every chance they got. Leonard didn’t pay any mind to it, though, and after the game, the two-time NBA Finals MVP told The O.C. Register that his only concern was being louder than the fans — whether they were booing or cheering:

Leonard also said he felt no kind of way about the blend of cheers and boos that rained down when he was introduced, and then when he took the mic to welcome the fans to the game and even when he touched the ball the first time.

“I just heard loud noise,” Leonard said. “So I was just trying to be as loud as I can. I wasn’t sure if the Clipper fans were being loud, or if it was Lakers fans. I didn’t even pay attention to it too much, I was just trying to let them know the appreciation we have for them for coming out tonight.”

Considering Leonard is a basketball cyborg from outer space sent to Earth to win every NBA team their first championship, his lack of emotion should come as no surprise.

It’s also a good thing for Leonard that he “feels” indifferent towards the boos he’s getting from Lakers fans because he’s going to hear it four times a year, with the potential for more in the postseason.

Does he deserve the boos? Probably not. Will he continue to get them at Lakers home games as long as he plays in the NBA? Absolutely.

If Lakers fans are going to continue to boo him, though, it should be for this commercial and not his free agency decision? Paul George deserves a hearty boo for his acting, too.

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