Fred VanVleet has stirred conversation among NBA fans with new revelations about Kawhi Leonard and their 2019 championship run with the Toronto Raptors.
On his Unguarded podcast on Wednesday, VanVleet recalled Leonard’s mindset after the title.
“It was a conversation being had and the sentiment of it was when we won the championship, he was like ‘I’m better than Kobe,’” VanVleet said.
The comment drew strong reactions online.
@DeyLuvHuggy noted, “Notice how he didn’t say LeBron. Even NBA players know Kobe is not on LeBron’s level.”
Notice how he didn’t say LeBron. Even NBA players know Kobe is not on LeBron’s level
— Huggy (@DeyLuvHuggy) December 17, 2025
@keepitreal_4L pushed back: “Yea iight man, the Kobe disrespect is getting outta hand.”
And @_mcameron44 joked, “Man what these guys smoking on nowadays.”
Leonard’s résumé includes two NBA championships—one with San Antonio and one with Toronto—but Kobe Bryant’s legacy looms much larger, with five titles, two Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections.
“He could have won 3 rins in Toronto”: NBA fans feel that Kawhi Leonard wasted his career after moving to the LA Clippers
VanVleet also revisited Leonard’s decision to leave Toronto. On the Hello and Welcome podcast, he revealed Leonard told teammates,
“I don’t know why they traded for me. I don’t want to be here. I’m not staying here.”
Despite those words, Leonard delivered a historic 2019 title before departing for the LA Clippers. Fast forward to 2025, fans continue to wonder what might have been had he stayed.
@NewMediaSports_ argued, “He could have won 3 rings in Toronto one of the best teams ever.”
He could have won 3 rings in Toronto one of the best teams ever
— 💫 (@NewMediaSports_) December 15, 2025
@LivesTorrance added, “His career would have been much more successful if he stayed here tho lol.”
Once viewed as one of the league’s most dominant stars, Leonard’s move to Los Angeles shifted the narrative. While he entered the Clippers as a two-time champion and Finals MVP, his standing has since slipped, with fans now debating whether he squandered the chance to build a dynasty in Toronto.
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