Kawhi Leonard Criticized Over Pacquiao vs. Thurman Attendance

NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was criticized for displaying almost no reaction while in front of the camera during the Manny Pacquiao-Keith Thurman fight last Saturday.

This Saturday marked another historic night in Las Vegas as two of the best pound-for-pound welterweight fighters, Pacquiao and Thurman, put on a great show. As expected, stars gathered around the MGM Grand to witness the blockbuster fight, and among the famous sports personalities in attendance was the former Toronto Raptors star.

The crowd went wild as soon as the presence of the NBA superstar was noticed by ringside cameramen. However, it did not take long for Leonard to be criticized over his lack of reaction and emotion despite being in the middle of an intense and action-packed fight.

Philippine-based website Rappler noted that even in the "most highly charged atmosphere" like the Pacquiao-Thurman bout, Leonard managed to keep a "straight face."

Leonard, who is not really known as an expressive type, was somehow spotted "smiling" in front of the camera while having a brief talk with Pacquiao inside the locker room moments after being declared as winner via split decision, EsNews reported.

While it is not everyday that fans get to see Leonard with a smile on his face in front of the camera, it is nice to know that a star from a different sport can cause a change in his reaction. And despite being a basketball superstar, Leonard appears to have no problem acknowledging other athletes' accomplishments.

In his free agency this year, Leonard topped the list of top prospects in the market which led him to become one of the most intriguing NBA stars this summer. To this day, Leonard continues to be caught up in controversies even though he has already closed the free agency chapter of his 2018-19 NBA career.

One of the teams which had been consistent in pursuing the two-time Finals MVP during his free agency was the Los Angeles Lakers. And recent reports claimed that the team "felt played" by Leonard when he decided to sign to another Los Angeles team, the Clippers.

Leonard played a huge role in one of the most massive trade deals in the history of the NBA when he managed to recruit Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George to join him in LA and form a new "big two" duo in the NBA's Western Conference.