Actor Talks Working With Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard On Hyundai Commercial
After a 110-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night , Kawhi Leonard shared that he felt good. Leonard missed five games with a foot injury, which he said was “nothing significant.”
“I’m feeling good,” Leonard said after the game, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “We took the proper steps to get me right, to make sure nothing significant is wrong with me … so hopefully we can just keep moving up from here.”
Last week, Kawhi Leonard’s latest commercial with Hyundai was released to the world. The commercial also features actors, actresses, and entertainers such as Jason Bateman, Mindy Kaling, Becky G, Giada De Laurentiis, and Sheldon Bailey.
On Monday night, I spoke with Bailey about working with Kawhi on the Hyundai commercial and how it came about in the first place.
“It came about the traditional way of auditioning and going through my agent. We did Zoom auditions and Zoom callbacks. They liked me and we went through all the covid protocol for testing for things like that,” said Bailey.
“Interesting thing because we actually had to shoot plates due to Covid and the league [NBA] protocol and what not in the close proximity in the vehicle. So, we actually shot separately and they put it together. So, I actually got to see him on set, but it was very brief. He did his thing, I did my thing, and so did the other guy in the back. Becky G was also on set that day as well, and that was neat.”
Bailey continued, “I do not know how anybody is doing the things that he is doing can be considered boring. I think he is unique in how he marches to the beat of his own drum and does his own thing, and I really appreciate him. I also understand how he is going about his NBA career because it gives people the okay not to be with Nike or Adidas. He can still be cool and still come to LA and have the marketing and commercials behind him.”
In the past, Bailey has been in commercials with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Shaq, and Zion Williamson.
Leonard is averaging 25.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game in 47 games for the Clippers this season.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
