Why is Kawhi getting so much hate?

[RD2191]

How many rings do KD and Russ have? Harden and Dwight? CP3 and Blake? PG13? How many has LeBron won on his own? Those guys are considered the stars of the NBA and what have they done?

[Clipper Nation]

For the same reason why Kobe fans hated Shaq and Pau. Porker's fanboys just watched him eat shit in the playoffs again and need a scapegoat to blame it on. It used to be Manu, now it's Kawhi.

[Hoops Czar]

Spurs won't win dick with Kawhi as the number one option on offense.

[resistanze]

How many rings do KD and Russ have? Harden and Dwight? CP3 and Blake? PG13? How many has LeBron won on his own? Those guys are considered the stars of the NBA and what have they done?

He was the runner-up MVP. His offensive game is limited and the pressure of being a number one option seems short-sighted. He doesn't deserve hate for that though, he'll only get better. But you can't put the offensive burden on a player like Kawhi.

[Holden_Caulfield]

hes our best player and he didnt want it enough

[TheGreatYacht]

Can't say it's undeserved tbh

[UZER]

He was the runner-up MVP. His offensive game is limited and the pressure of being a number one option seems short-sighted. He doesn't deserve hate for that though, he'll only get better. But you can't put the offensive burden on a player like Kawhi.

It's not his fault when he has absolutely no help on offense from anyone on the perimeter To take any, I repeat, any kind of pressure off of him.

But still, he needs to come up bigger if he wants to be a superstar. And this goes back to pop not letting him learn how to go for 40 every so often on blowout nights. How to carry a team through slumps a skill you learn. You gotta have the will, but you have to learn the skill.

[dabom]

Best player from both teams.

[K...]

Max player not living up to the hype. As spursfan we expect players to perform better in the playoffs. Kawhi is looking a lot like parker, big number's against weak matchups but shut down when it counts. Yup totally porker.

[lefty]

For the same reason why Kobe fans hated Shaq and Pau. Porker's fanboys just watched him eat shit in the playoffs again and need a scapegoat to blame it on. It used to be Manu, now it's Kawhi.

[YGWHI]

Spurs won't win dick with Kawhi as the number one option on offense.
Neither with LMA as #1.

But the Spurs can get success with Kawhi and LMA working as some interchangeable scoring tandem of 1-a/1-b most games.

They just need a decent supporting cast.

Westbrook didn't outplay Kawhi in the series, either Durant/LMA...but their role players killed ours.

[Buddy Mignon]

Spurs won't win dick with Kawhi as the number one option on offense.

[Harry Callahan]

Max player not living up to the hype. As spursfan we expect players to perform better in the playoffs. Kawhi is looking a lot like parker, big number's against weak matchups but shut down when it counts. Yup totally porker.

Sorry but your opinion on that matter is horseshit, with all due respect.

This team was A LOT worse with KL out of the lineup this year.

He is a great player who is still developing and getting better.

I would not trade him for Kevin Durant straight up and I'll tell you why - he is an impact player on both ends of the court AND four years younger. Not to mention no history of foot fractures.

The bench of the Spurs cost them this series. Bottom line. The drop off was absolutely huge in this series.

[TXstbobcat]

Best player from both teams.

I guess some people expected more from him this series and are disappointed. i think about this way though. Without Leonard this team is probably trying to rebuild with lottery picks.

[Mikeanaro]

Has been disappointing.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Cause he shrivels up in big games. He's the Dwight Howard of 2016

[MultiTroll]

It's only from people who do not understand basketball.

[gambit1990]

Can't say it's undeserved tbh
:lol thegreatcunt is at it again. you still think parker is better than kawhi? :lmao

[houston spurs fan]

Cause he shrivels up in big games. He's the Dwight Howard of 2016
Hey fuck you man, get out of here. Kawhi played well

[Random5843]

Well he isn't top five player. Not yet. He was supposed to only be Bowen's reincarnation. Right now he's way past him.

I'd say he'll become a lot better. Even Curry got better at what? 27?

[gambit1990]

Cause he shrivels up in big games. He's the Dwight Howard of 2016
http://www.istorya.net/forums/attachments/basketball-81/10890d1403072177-kawhi-leonard-finals-mvp-you-thoughts-leonard1_zpsdacf3609.jpg

[EIC]

The deal with Kawhi is that the expectations have outpaced his progress. When he was just a piece of the puzzle, we all blew our loads when he would drop 20 and 10, with some steals and blocks. Now that the media and many fans are regarding him as one of the top 10 players in the league, we are pissed when he just has 22 points.

He is not a natural scorer the way guys like Kobe, Westbrook, Harden, Curry, etc. are. He just isn't. He can and will get better but his offensive game will always be of the derivative nature. He could never, ever, ever do anything remotely close to LeBron in the 2015 Finals, basically going 1 on 5 and putting up huge offensive numbers. But he can reliably get you 18-28 points any given night if he has some elite scorers around him. The Spurs are one reliably +20-point scorer away from seriously contending in the future.

[gambit1990]

how many perimeter players have won back to back defensive player of the year awards... while still having to be the #1 option on offense?

kawhi is tremendous. we would have one less title without him. fuck everyone who doesn't appreciate him.

[TheGreatYacht]

http://www.istorya.net/forums/attachments/basketball-81/10890d1403072177-kawhi-leonard-finals-mvp-you-thoughts-leonard1_zpsdacf3609.jpg
Pretty sure he said 2016, retard

[gambit1990]

Pretty sure he said 2016, retard

Cause he shrivels up in big games.
eat shit.

[midnightpulp]

He played a solid all-around game, and he's still a top 5 player in the league that can look like the best player in the world on some nights, but there is no denying he is offensively limited at the moment. He severely needs a strong dribble drive game to go with his midrange game.

He's not yet a player who can take over a game offensively with 35-45 points in multiple playoff games during a series. He might do it once, and it'll be closer to 30 than 40. See Durant. Had a 41 point game and a 37 point game in two of the most important games of the series.

Kawhi isn't at that level right now. Maybe in time.

[dabom]

He played a solid all-around game, and he's still a top 5 player in the league that can look like the best player in the world on some nights, but there is no denying he is offensively limited at the moment. He severely needs a strong dribble drive game to go with his midrange game.

He's not yet a player who can take over a game offensively with 35-45 points in multiple playoff games during a series. He might do it once, and it'll be closer to 30 than 40. See Durant. Had a 41 point game and a 37 point game in two of the most important games of the series.

Kawhi isn't at that level right now. Maybe in time.

Not his fault he can't guard all 5 players on the floor at the same time and has to be its best scorer and rebounder and legit 3 point shooter all the time.

[Joseph Kony]

Sorry brah, but Leonard is the best player on our team and he is going to be the one to shoulder the blame. Leonard is a beast, he is my favorite player, but imo he got exposed as being a very flat offensive player and all the talk about him being on the Curry/LeBron/Durant/Westbrook tier was premature. I think he'll get there because he works non-stop in the offseason but we lost because our offense was a complete dumpster fire and he is the one leading the way. Goes the territory with being the leader, tbh

[dabom]

I forgot to say playmaker too.

[dabom]

Team can't defend without Kawhi. Team can't rebound without Kawhi. Team can't score without KAwhi. Team can't playmake without Kawhi. Fuck your standards faggot. We got players that whole job is to score, and they couldn't even do that.

[midnightpulp]

Not his fault he can't guard all 5 players on the floor at the same time and has to be its best scorer and rebounder and legit 3 point shooter all the time.

It's not a matter of energy, it's his offensive style. Even the best midrange shooters and midrange post players only average about 45% from that distance. Dirk is probably the king of the mid range jumper, and even he only averages about .460 from 10-23 feet over his career.

It's why teams give up the midrange shot to better defend the drive and 3. Most inefficient shot in basketball.

[dabom]

I'm tired of all these fucking bitchmade hoes with these fucking Jordan scoring/ Duncan defense standards.

[gambit1990]

It's not a matter of energy, it's his offensive style.
maybe if he had a real pg...

[peacemaker885]

Go back to the beautiful game.

[dabom]

It's not a matter of energy, it's his offensive style. Even the best midrange shooters and midrange post players only average about 45% from that distance. Dirk is probably the king of the mid range jumper, and even he only averages about .460 from 10-23 feet over his career.

It's why teams give up the midrange shot to better defend the drive and 3. Most inefficient shot in basketball.

We lost this series cause Pop kept playing Kyle/West all series over more Green/Duncan combo. Have you ever played any team games? Playing equal or worse players in your team will hurt your team because of cohesion. You have synergy with your old teammates. Pop basically fucking this team raw. Not on Kawhi this series.

[Hoops Czar]

Neither with LMA as #1.

But the Spurs can get success with Kawhi and LMA working as some interchangeable scoring tandem of 1-a/1-b most games.

They just need a decent supporting cast.

Westbrook didn't outplay Kawhi in the series, either Durant/LMA...but their role players killed ours.

Most games that don't include elite teams. Until the Spurs get drivers and shooters, this team is second round fodder. The beautiful game that delivered #5 is long gone and I can't help but think that the Kawhi and LMA tandem has a lot to do with that.

[dabom]

22 points 9 rebounds 5 assist 3 steals. WTF you want of our superstar?

[midnightpulp]

We lost this series cause Pop kept playing Kyle/West all series over more Green/Duncan combo. Have you ever played any team games? Playing equal or worse players in your team will hurt your team because of cohesion. You have synergy with your old teammates. Pop basically fucking this team raw. Not on Kawhi this series.

I don't blame Kawhi for the series loss. Pop is probably 80% to blame. Bench gets the other 20%. I'm just saying what Kawhi needs to add to his game to reach the offensive level of a Durant, Lebron, etc.

[Kim Jong-il]

Kawhi is a great #2 guy, but sure as fuck isn't a #1 nor will he ever be. And now that your only true #1 guy is a shell of his former self, on the verge of retirement, enjoy years of second round exits with Kawhi. Which is still way better than what the Mavs or Rockets will accomplish in that time.

[Harry Callahan]

Well he isn't top five player. Not yet. He was supposed to only be Bowen's reincarnation. Right now he's way past him.

I'd say he'll become a lot better. Even Curry got better at what? 27?

He was 2nd in MVP voting DPOY and very possibly 1st team All NBA this year. That would make him a top 5 player in my world.

[Harry Callahan]

I don't blame Kawhi for the series loss. Pop is probably 80% to blame. Bench gets the other 20%. I'm just saying what Kawhi needs to add to his game to reach the offensive level of a Durant, Lebron, etc.

The coach is not 80% of this loss. This was about players performing or not. The bench was awful in this series after being really good throughout the RS.

[dabom]

KAwhi with a .300WS/48. That's superstar.

Kevin Durant has never been close to that.

Playoffs Advanced Glossary · SHARE · Embed · CSV · Export · PRE · LINK (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html#playoffs_advanced::none) · ?



Season
Age
Tm
Lg
Pos
G
MP
PER
TS%
3PAr
FTr
ORB%
DRB%
TRB%
AST%
STL%
BLK%
TOV%
USG%

OWS
DWS
WS
WS/48

OBPM
DBPM
BPM
VORP


2009-10 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2010/)
21
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2010.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2010.html)
SF
6
231
16.6
.499
.285
.504
3.8
18.4
11.0
13.4
0.7
2.8
12.8
34.0

-0.1
0.3
0.3
.054

-0.6
0.3
-0.3
0.1


2010-11 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2011/)
22
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2011.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2011.html)
SF
17
722
24.1
.582
.316
.484
3.0
18.8
11.1
13.3
1.2
2.0
9.1
29.0

2.6
0.6
3.3
.217

4.4
0.4
4.8
1.2


2011-12 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2012/)
23
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2012.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html)
SF
20
837
27.5
.632
.287
.402
1.9
19.0
10.6
16.4
1.8
2.4
12.3
28.8

3.5
0.6
4.0
.231

5.6
1.7
7.3
2.0


2012-13 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2013/)
24
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2013.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2013.html)
SF
11
485
26.0
.574
.285
.455
1.6
21.1
11.5
29.2
1.5
2.1
12.7
31.9

1.5
0.7
2.1
.210

6.0
2.3
8.3
1.3


2013-14 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2014/)
25
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2014.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014.html)
SF
19
815
22.6
.570
.296
.386
3.7
19.1
11.8
18.3
1.2
2.3
12.7
31.6

1.5
0.9
2.5
.145

2.6
1.7
4.3
1.3


2015-16 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2016/)
27
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2016.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html)
SF
10
394
18.8
.534
.298
.340
2.1
16.4
9.4
17.4
0.8
1.1
13.3
32.3

0.6
0.3
0.9
.115

0.6
-0.2
0.4
0.2


Career


NBA

83
3484
23.7
.577
.296
.422
2.6
18.9
11.0
17.9
1.3
2.1
12.0
30.7

9.6
3.5
13.1
.180

3.7
1.2
4.9
6.1



These numbers are not counting this last game.

[midnightpulp]

22 points 9 rebounds 5 assist 3 steals. WTF you want of our superstar?

On 23 shots.

His offensive game isn't on the level of his all-around game yet. It's not an insult to say that. He's only 24. He can add the dribble-drive game this Summer, hopefully.

[dabom]

KAwhi with a .300WS/48. That's superstar.

Kevin Durant has never been close to that.

Playoffs Advanced

Glossary · SHARE · Embed · CSV · Export · PRE · LINK (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html#playoffs_advanced::none) · ?



Season
Age
Tm
Lg
Pos
G
MP
PER
TS%
3PAr
FTr
ORB%
DRB%
TRB%
AST%
STL%
BLK%
TOV%
USG%

OWS
DWS
WS
WS/48

OBPM
DBPM
BPM
VORP


2009-10 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2010/)
21
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2010.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2010.html)
SF
6
231
16.6
.499
.285
.504
3.8
18.4
11.0
13.4
0.7
2.8
12.8
34.0

-0.1
0.3
0.3
.054

-0.6
0.3
-0.3
0.1


2010-11 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2011/)
22
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2011.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2011.html)
SF
17
722
24.1
.582
.316
.484
3.0
18.8
11.1
13.3
1.2
2.0
9.1
29.0

2.6
0.6
3.3
.217

4.4
0.4
4.8
1.2


2011-12 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2012/)
23
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2012.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html)
SF
20
837
27.5
.632
.287
.402
1.9
19.0
10.6
16.4
1.8
2.4
12.3
28.8

3.5
0.6
4.0
.231

5.6
1.7
7.3
2.0


2012-13 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2013/)
24
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2013.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2013.html)
SF
11
485
26.0
.574
.285
.455
1.6
21.1
11.5
29.2
1.5
2.1
12.7
31.9

1.5
0.7
2.1
.210

6.0
2.3
8.3
1.3


2013-14 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2014/)
25
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2014.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2014.html)
SF
19
815
22.6
.570
.296
.386
3.7
19.1
11.8
18.3
1.2
2.3
12.7
31.6

1.5
0.9
2.5
.145

2.6
1.7
4.3
1.3


2015-16 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog/2016/)
27
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2016.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2016.html)
SF
10
394
18.8
.534
.298
.340
2.1
16.4
9.4
17.4
0.8
1.1
13.3
32.3

0.6
0.3
0.9
.115

0.6
-0.2
0.4
0.2


Career


NBA

83
3484
23.7
.577
.296
.422
2.6
18.9
11.0
17.9
1.3
2.1
12.0
30.7

9.6
3.5
13.1
.180

3.7
1.2
4.9
6.1



These numbers are not counting this last game.

No matter his scoring. He fucking went HULK on all other aspects of the game. He probably still had the best TS% out of all the real rotation players.

[gambit1990]

kawhi could rise from the dead and people here would still complain about his abilities.

[TXstbobcat]

kawhi could rise from the dead and people here would still complain about his abilities.

Sounds crazy but I guess that finishing 2nd in MVP voting and back to back DPOY awards isn't enough for some Spurs fans. Spoiled fan base.

[gambit1990]

Sounds crazy but I guess that finishing 2nd in MVP voting and back to back DPOY awards isn't enough for some Spurs fans. Spoiled fan base.
my point exactly. it's unbelievable.

[Dro210]

For the same reason why Kobe fans hated Shaq and Pau. Porker's fanboys just watched him eat shit in the playoffs again and need a scapegoat to blame it on. It used to be Manu, now it's Kawhi.


It's only from people who do not understand basketball.


Same type people who said he would be Tony Allen, Gerald Wallace, Shane Battier, etc... Now trying to hold him strictly to Tim Duncan/Michael Jordan standards at 24. They bust a nut everytime he has an average game, "he doesn't go 30/10/5/5 on 60% shooting every.single.night... on the Spurs. He sucks. I was right all along." It's a lot of people pathetically trying to cling to their past shitty takes in order to salvage a little bit of their egos, tbh. They've been in recovery mode for years already on this one, and they've got a long way to go.

He just finished 2nd in MVP voting. It wasn't a mistake. Defense is pretty important, and he's head and shoulders above any other player in the league. The offense has grown every year and will continue to do so.

[sdsucwsl]

As a SDSU fan, I've watched this entire series and can provide a more unbiased take on Kawhi's performance during this series.

The way I see it was that OKC did a pretty good job defending Kawhi. He didn't get many good looks at the basket as there were always a few OKC players in good defensive distance around him. If he would have tried to play "hero ball" and put the team on his back; he would have done what Kobe has done over his career....jack up a ton of shots with a crappy FG%. We've all seen the big names do it and go 7-30, scoring 25 pts while the rest of the team goes cold watching one player score (not that any of the other players were hot anyways).

Could Kawhi be more assertive? Yes, and I think that's the knock on his game right now. He has yet to learn how to impose his will on a game like the other greats. But, he's still a great piece to be one of the top three players on a team and the teammates like playing with him so that makes the rebuilding of the Spurs that much easier.

The Spurs are 3 acquisitions away from reloading this squad again in the off season. Spurs need to acquire a quality PG (first priority), quality SF (second priority - Kyle Anderson is not going to cut it), and a quality PF/C (3rd priority). Having good players come on board will help scoring, open the game up for everyone, and you'll see Kawhi perform better as well.

[Kim Jong-il]

No matter his scoring. He fucking went HULK on all other aspects of the game. He probably still had the best TS% out of all the real rotation players.
Oh man with advanced stats like that on his side he definitely can lead the Spurs past OKC in round 2.......oh wait......

[dabom]

Oh man with advanced stats like that on his side he definitely can lead the Spurs past OKC in round 2.......oh wait......

Can a player be the best player on the floor and still lose? I'm waiting faggot. :lmao

[YGWHI]

Most games that don't include elite teams. Until the Spurs get drivers and shooters, this team is second round fodder. The beautiful game that delivered #5 is long gone and I can't help but think that the Kawhi and LMA tandem has a lot to do with that.

Agree, they need more shooters to spread the floor.

You can hate Iso-teams but OKC is one of them. The biggest difference was the Thunder role players/2nd unit did the job. Kawhi and LMA weren't that lucky with their teammates.

[gambit1990]

22 points 9 rebounds 5 assist 3 steals. WTF you want of our superstar?
"you're retarded, kawhi sucks. if you really knew basketball you would see parker's stats tonight were better :cry:cry:cry" -thegreatcunt, hater, brazil

[Kim Jong-il]

Can a player be the best player on the floor and still lose? I'm waiting faggot. :lmao
Yeah, if he has a shit team around him. Are you saying Kawhi has a shit team around him?

[dabom]

"you're retarded, kawhi sucks. if you really knew basketball you would see parker's stats tonight were better :cry:cry:cry" -thegreatcunt, hater, brazil

:lol

[Kawhitstorm]

He was the runner-up MVP. His offensive game is limited and the pressure of being a number one option seems short-sighted. He doesn't deserve hate for that though, he'll only get better. But you can't put the offensive burden on a player like Kawhi.

Pippen didn't average more than 21 pts per 36 minutes at ANY point of his career. Meanwhile, Kawhi averaged 23 per 36 this season.

Besides, Carmelo at 24 averaged 36 pts per 100 possession in the 2009 postseason when the Nuggets reached the WCF. Kawhi averaged 35 per 100 poss this postseason on better efficiency.

[Kim Jong-il]

LOL bragging about kawhi scoring 22 pts on 23 shots. I'm sure you weren't one of the guys mocking Kobe for his 60 points on 50 shots or whatever it was

[dabom]

Yeah, if he has a shit team around him. Are you saying Kawhi has a shit team around him?

He has great players next to him.... but also shit players too. And Pop underplayed Duncan/Green and overplayed West/Fathead. Faggot. :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

He has great players next to him
Thank you

[TXstbobcat]

Yeah, if he has a shit team around him. Are you saying Kawhi has a shit team around him?

Other than Leonard and Duncan, the Spurs played like shit tonight. Not much Leonard could do when his team didn't show up to play in an elimination game.

[EIC]

Sounds crazy but I guess that finishing 2nd in MVP voting and back to back DPOY awards isn't enough for some Spurs fans. Spoiled fan base.

Call them crazy, but I think they are looking for rings, not individual awards.

[Kim Jong-il]

Other than Leonard and Duncan, the Spurs played like shit tonight. Not much Leonard could do when his team didn't show up to play in an elimination game.
Yeah if only there was a way he could push his teammates to play their best in a critical game. If only there was a way he could take control of a game and keep his team alive when they need him most. What's that called again? Leadership? But when had anyone ever done that in the NBA...

[gambit1990]

Call them crazy, but I think they are looking for rings, not individual awards.
rings are a team effort. kawhi would prefer a ring over an individual award.

his personal accolades shouldn't take away from how great his play his.

[TXstbobcat]

Call them crazy, but I think they are looking for rings, not individual awards.

i wouldn't blame Leonard. Fans should blame the players that played like shit tonight.

[EIC]

He was 2nd in MVP voting DPOY and very possibly 1st team All NBA this year. That would make him a top 5 player in my world.

Yeah, but be honest: None of us really think he deserves to be MVP at this point in his career. We'd all give our left nuts to trade him for LeBron or Curry.

[dabom]

Yeah if only there was a way he could push his teammates to play their best in a critical game. If only there was a way he could take control of a game and keep his team alive when they need him most. What's that called again? Leadership? But when had anyone ever done that in the NBA...

Your team lost to the Lazers. Hold this :lma :lmao

[YGWHI]

Call them crazy, but I think they are looking for rings, not individual awards.
Like if those individual awards have nothing to do with Kawhi giving all for the Spurs and leading them to one of their best regular seasons.

[Kim Jong-il]

Not trying to shit on Kawhi tbh. He's a terrific #2 guy for a team to have. With the right alpha male leading him, he is capable of great things like Finals MVP. Just like Andre Iguodala.

[EIC]

i wouldn't blame Leonard. Fans should blame the players that played like shit tonight.

Agree, others were bigger issues, but the expectations on Kawhi are that he will transcend poor play from his supporting cast. That's what league MVPs do. The question presented is whether he is deserving of those expectations.

[Kim Jong-il]

Your team lost to the Lazers. Hold this :lma :lmao
Nobody is stupid enough to defend anybody on the Clippers the way you're defending Definitely Not A Superstar, Second Banana Leonard.

[EIC]

Like if those individual awards have nothing to do with Kawhi giving all for the Spurs and leading them to one of their best regular seasons.

Cool. What color is that regular season trophy?

[dabom]

Nobody is stupid enough to defend anybody on the Clippers the way you're defending Definitely Not A Superstar, Second Banana Leonard.

Finals MVP, 2XDPOY, 2nd in MVP voting. :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

Finals MVP, 2XDPOY, 2nd in MVP voting. :lmao
and two time second round exit as their #1 guy

[Kawhitstorm]

LOL bragging about kawhi scoring 22 pts on 23 shots. I'm sure you weren't one of the guys mocking Kobe for his 60 points on 50 shots or whatever it was

In Gm 5, Durant had 23 pts on 21 shots (was awarded 2 bogus FTs when Danny got tripped) but I didn't see you crying about it.:wakeup

[Kawhitstorm]

Not trying to shit on Kawhi tbh. He's a terrific #2 guy for a team to have. With the right alpha male leading him, he is capable of great things like Finals MVP. Just like Andre Iguodala.

I'm surprised that Cripples fan are even aware that the postseason is more than 2 rds, hanging regular season banners!:lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

and two time second round exit as their #1 guy
Oh whoops my mistake, Clippers beat the Kawhi-led Spurs in Round 1 last season :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

I'm surprised that Cripples fan are even aware that the postseason is more than 2 rds, hanging regular season banners!:lmao
Get ready to hang plenty of those during "The Kawhi Years"

[dabom]

Oh whoops my mistake, Clippers beat the Kawhi-led Spurs in Round 1 last season :lmao

Didn't you lose a 3-1 series to the rockets? :lmao

[dabom]

Do Lips even have a chip?

[Kim Jong-il]

In Gm 5, Durant had 23 pts on 21 shots (was awarded 2 bogus FTs when Danny got tripped) but I didn't see you crying about it.:wakeup
So he was more efficient than Kawhi in Game 6. Cool.

[Kim Jong-il]

Didn't you lose a 3-1 series to the rockets? :lmao
After beating the Kawhi-led Spurs :lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

Get ready to hang plenty of those during "The Kawhi Years"

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/940/548/hi-res-88825c940ca9ef7e7987095ff8aec18d_crop_north.jpg?w= 630&h=420&q=75

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f0/9e/a4/f09ea448dcbfd60d02d47ec80a22cce3.jpg

[dabom]

Lips put up posters over the Lakers Banners. :lmao

[YGWHI]

Cool. What color is that regular season trophy?
The regular season doesn't really have any importance at all, right?

Better not play it in 2017, just the playoffs.

These guys...smh

[Kawhitstorm]

So he was more efficient than Kawhi in Game 6. Cool.

My bad, I didn't know a SERIES was 1 game but then Cripples nation isn't that familiar w/ the postseason.

[TXstbobcat]

Agree, others were bigger issues, but the expectations on Kawhi are that he will transcend poor play from his supporting cast. That's what league MVPs do. The question presented is whether he is deserving of those expectations.

Tonight was a complete disaster for the Spurs. Not even Jesus Christ could have led the Spurs to a win the way most of the team played tonight.

[Kim Jong-il]

My bad, I didn't know a SERIES was 1 game but then Cripples nation isn't that familiar w/ the postseason.
I know the Clippers beat Kawhi's ass a year ago :lmao and OKC did it tonight :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

Lips put up posters over the Lakers Banners. :lmao
Kawhi fans desperate to stay in their fantasy world where Kawhi can lead a team farther than Chris Paul can.

[Kawhitstorm]

I know the Clippers beat Kawhi's ass a year ago :lmao and OKC did it tonight :lmao

Then what happened in the NEXT round.......:wakeup

[Kim Jong-il]

http://mobile.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/44d9c399f7c4aa4da004666b9a698c1e02abded6/c=245-0-4012-2832&r=x483&c=640x480/local/-/media/2016/05/12/USATODAY/USATODAY/635986901301070910-USATSI-9292090.jpg
:lmao getting teabagged by Khal Drogo

[TXstbobcat]

Kawhi fans desperate to stay in their fantasy world where Kawhi can lead a team farther than Chris Paul can.

And how many rings does Chris Paul have???????

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi fans desperate to stay in their fantasy world where Kawhi can lead a team farther than Chris Paul can.

Last I checked Chris Paul did lead the Cripples to a championship:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f0/9e/a4/f09ea448dcbfd60d02d47ec80a22cce3.jpg

[Kim Jong-il]

Then what happened in the NEXT round.......:wakeup
Kawhi found a comfy spot on his couch to watch the series :lmao

[EIC]

The regular season doesn't really have any importance at all, right?

Better not play it in 2017, just the playoffs.

These guys...smh

The playoffs don't matter, right? Might as well stop after the reg season in 2017, right? We're just here for atta boys and cuddles.

The fuck is the matter with you? Shut your goddamn mouth for a change and maybe learn a thing or two, son. Why are you always trying to ice skate up hill?

[Kawhitstorm]

http://mobile.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/44d9c399f7c4aa4da004666b9a698c1e02abded6/c=245-0-4012-2832&r=x483&c=640x480/local/-/media/2016/05/12/USATODAY/USATODAY/635986901301070910-USATSI-9292090.jpg
:lmao getting teabagged by Khal Drogo

http://cdn1.24liveblog.com/images/2015/05/15/1431668803386890.jpg

[dabom]

http://cdn1.24liveblog.com/images/2015/05/15/1431668803386890.jpg

:lol

[Kim Jong-il]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/dam/assets/160513005120-kevin-durant-san-antonio-spurs-v-oklahoma-city-thunder--game-six.mobile-t1.jpeg

[dabom]

Last I heard. OKC and Lips have the same amount of rings. :lmao

[EIC]

Tonight was a complete disaster for the Spurs. Not even Jesus Christ could have led the Spurs to a win the way most of the team played tonight.

Dont disagree. Still need to find a #1 scoring threat on the offensive end because Kawhi, for all his many virtues, is not that man now and probably never will be.

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi found a comfy spot on his couch to watch the series :lmao

cS-4u6LkW7A

http://i.imgur.com/S6HAKVZ.gif

[Kawhitstorm]

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/dam/assets/160513005120-kevin-durant-san-antonio-spurs-v-oklahoma-city-thunder--game-six.mobile-t1.jpeg

vPIgTuQM2gk

[dabom]

Dont disagree. Still need to find a #1 scoring threat on the offensive end because Kawhi, for all his many virtues, is not that man now and probably never will be.

Lesson bro. Don't go shit posting when you start out. No one is gonna take you serious and people will stop replying to you. FYI...

[Kawhitstorm]

Dont disagree. Still need to find a #1 scoring threat on the offensive end because Kawhi, for all his many virtues, is not that man now and probably never will be.

If Pop is going to run 90s style isolation offense then Kawhi ain't that dude. Otherwise, 2014 happened. :sleep

[Kim Jong-il]

:lmao Spurs fans getting so salty defending a rich man's Josh Howard :lmao :lmao :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

Lesson bro. Don't go shit posting when you start out. No one is gonna take you serious and people will stop replying to you. FYI...
Yeah bro, you tell him bro :lmao

[EIC]

I love how guys are saying it's not Kawhi's fault the Sours lost because it takes village to win, etc., but then imply that Kawhi is superior to Chris Paul, Durant, and Westbrook because he has a ring and they don't. Can't have it both ways, fellas.

[dabom]

Yeah bro, you tell him bro :lmao

You got about one more shit-rant before people just ignore you brah. Take the :lma

:lol

[gambit1990]

:lmao Spurs fans getting so salty defending a rich man's Josh Howard :lmao :lmao :lmao
dabom wasn't getting salty, just factual:

Last I heard. OKC and Lips have the same amount of rings. :lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

:lmao Spurs fans getting so salty defending a rich man's Josh Howard :lmao :lmao :lmao

Josh Howard has actually been past the 2nd rd:lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

You got about one more shit-rant before people just ignore you brah. Take the :lma

:lol
Okay bro, whatever you say bro! :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

I love how guys are saying it's not Kawhi's fault the Sours lost because it takes village to win, etc., but then imply that Kawhi is superior to Chris Paul, Durant, and Westbrook because he has a ring and they don't. Can't have it both ways, fellas.
Lesson bro, don't bring logic to a fanboy circlejerk, bro.

[EIC]

Lesson bro. Don't go shit posting when you start out. No one is gonna take you serious and people will stop replying to you. FYI...

The hell you mean "start out"? I been on this board three years longer than you, Mr. "Join Date: May 2013."

[Kim Jong-il]

The hell you mean "start out"? I been on this board three years longer than you, Mr. "Join Date: May 2013."
He was too busy bro-ing out with his bros to be bothered to post here, bro!

[Clipper Nation]

Kawhi fans desperate to stay in their fantasy world where Kawhi can lead a team farther than Chris Paul can.
Tbh, I'd rather have Kawhi's Finals MVP leadership than Choke Paul's second-round exit "leadership."

[dabom]

The hell you mean "start out"? I been on this board three years longer than you, Mr. "Join Date: May 2013."

I guess you're wrong. I joined 2013. And I didn't say when you joined. I said start out. Like a constant amount of posting. Something you don't do faggot. :lmao

[YGWHI]

I love how guys are saying it's not Kawhi's fault the Sours lost because it takes village to win, etc., but then imply that Kawhi is superior to Chris Paul, Durant, and Westbrook because he has a ring and they don't. Can't have it both ways, fellas.

I pick Kawhi over Paul and Westbrook all day.

[dabom]

Tbh, I'd rather have Kawhi's Finals MVP leadership than Choke Paul's second-round exit "leadership."

If you could be BOLDED twice, you would be. :hat

[YGWHI]

The playoffs don't matter, right?
I never said they don't matter. But remember, you're the guy who said the regular season doesn't matter.

[EIC]

If Pop is going to run 90s style isolation offense then Kawhi ain't that dude. Otherwise, 2014 happened. :sleep

Yeah but that just kinda proves the point. The 2014 offense didn't rely on any one player to be the dominant scorer. Which I prefer. No doubt, in a plurality offense, he can flourish. If we're going to run this recent shit, we need to go get a premiere scorer at the guard position.

[Kim Jong-il]

I guess you're wrong. I joined 2013. And I didn't say when you joined. I said start out. Like a constant amount of posting. Something you don't do faggot. :lmao
Lesson, bro, don't act like such a bro all the time, bro.

[SAGirl]

wow didn't 've even know there were that many kawhi haters. These guys are trolling. Nothing to see here.

[dabom]

Yeah but that just kinda proves the point. The 2014 offense didn't rely on any one player to be the dominant scorer. Which I prefer. No doubt, in a plurality offense, he can flourish. If we're going to run this recent shit, we need to go get a premiere scorer at the guard position.

Acting like the big 3 don't age. :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

If you could be BOLDED twice, you would be. :hat
Bro, at least ask him for a reacharound first, bro.

[TXstbobcat]

Yeah but that just kinda proves the point. The 2014 offense didn't rely on any one player to be the dominant scorer. Which I prefer. No doubt, in a plurality offense, he can flourish. If we're going to run this recent shit, we need to go get a premiere scorer at the guard position.

Who is at the top of your free agent wish list to fill that position this off-season?

[dabom]

Bro, at least ask him for a reacharound first, bro.

I see I got you on tilt. Deep breaths brah. :tu

[EIC]

I guess you're wrong. I joined 2013. And I didn't say when you joined. I said start out. Like a constant amount of posting. Something you don't do faggot. :lmao

The "5" was a typo. My point still stands. You joined on the eve of the 2013 Finals, you band-wagon mother fucker. And all your 9,000+ posts tells me is you have no life.

[Kim Jong-il]

I see I got you on tilt. Deep breaths brah. :tu
Whatever you say, bro! Switching to brah doesn't help, bro!

[EIC]

I never said they don't matter. But remember, you're the guy who said the regular season doesn't matter.

If you can find it, quote it. Never said that. But if you had to choose, which one would you take? The best playoff record or the best regular season record? Don't answer right away. You can sleep on it.

[EIC]

Who is at the top of your free agent wish list to fill that position this off-season?

Who would I like to see or who do I think is realistic? Realistically, I think the best we can hope for is probably Conley. But I'm not sure that gets it done.

[Fireball]

Kawhi will be the centerpiece/MVP of the Spurs for years to come ... but he needs better scorers around him opening up the lanes for him

[dabom]

The "5" was a typo. My point still stands. You joined on the eve of the 2013 Finals, you band-wagon mother fucker. And all your 9,000+ posts tells me is you have no life.

Only way that happens is you have sausage fingers. :lmao

Only person that equates joining date on ST to the first interaction with the Spurs. :lmao

9k posts in 3 years is 8 posts a day. That is on the low end of posting on here faggot. Especially when posting on game threads. :lmao

[Kim Jong-il]

Only way that happens is you have sausage fingers. :lmao

Only person that equates joining date on ST to the first interaction with the Spurs. :lmao

9k posts in 3 years is 8 posts a day. That is on the low end of posting on here faggot. Especially when posting on game threads. :lmao
You tell him, bro! Nobody fucks with a bro unless it's another bro, amirite bro!

[EIC]

Only way that happens is you have sausage fingers. :lmao

Only person that equates joining date on ST to the first interaction with the Spurs. :lmao

9k posts in 3 years is 8 posts a day. That is on the low end of posting on here faggot. Especially when posting on game threads. :lmao

Only person who equates post count with anything significant at all? Your dumbass.

[YGWHI]

If you can find it, quote it. Never said that. But if you had to choose, which one would you take? The best playoff record or the best regular season record? Don't answer right away. You can sleep on it.

I'm a Spurs fan, I don't have to choose anything. The Spurs can get both records next season.

[dabom]

You tell him, bro! Nobody fucks with a bro unless it's another bro, amirite bro!

:tu

[TXstbobcat]

Who would I like to see or who do I think is realistic? Realistically, I think the best we can hope for is probably Conley. But I'm not sure that gets it done.

Hoping for Conley and maybe Pau Gasol as another big man.

[EIC]

I'm a Spurs fan, I don't have to choose anything. The Spurs can have both next season.

I am down 100% with that. And I would love to be wrong about Kawhi and see him become the premiere scorer in the league AND the best defensive player, year in and year out. Frankly, Kawhi has greatly exceeded my expectations of what he would be when he joined the Spurs. I was hoping for Danny Green circa 2013. I would be happy to be guilty of underestimating him yet again.

[dabom]

Only person who equates post count with anything significant at all? Your dumbass.


The "5" was a typo. My point still stands. You joined on the eve of the 2013 Finals, you band-wagon mother fucker. And all your 9,000+ posts tells me is you have no life.

You just did right now faggot. :lmao

[EIC]

Hoping for Conley and maybe Pau Gasol as another big man.

That would be pretty stellar. I worry there is a lot of overlap between Gasol's game and Aldridge's but beggars can't be choosers at this point. Conley, Green, Leonard, Aldridge, and Gasol would be fun to watch at a minimum.

[EIC]

You just did right now faggot. :lmao

You misunderstand, which is no surprise. It's possible that someone with 9,000+ posts has a life outside SpursTalk. No doubt. But the cat with 9,000+ posts who makes a big deal about post counts? Yeah, that fool is a bitch with no life. That is you.

[TXstbobcat]

That would be pretty stellar. I worry there is a lot of overlap between Gasol's game and Aldridge's but beggars can't be choosers at this point. Conley, Green, Leonard, Aldridge, and Gasol would be fun to watch at a minimum.

Any interest in Al Horford? I am guessing the Spurs would not be able to afford both Conley and Horford under the cap.

[Ginobili3]

Because all players who are great and have accomplished things are always prone to attracting hate. I do wish he would've played smarter (there was one sequence in Game 5 iirc where he got his defender reeling, but instead of taking advantage and going to the hoop, he took a stepback jumper despite being cold; of course, the rest of the team was too except for Danny) but to put things in perspective, he's only 24 and is a monstrous physical specimen with great hands and great skill. When there are open looks and the whole team is shooting like shit, there's nothing you can do. More blame should be pinned on the bench and the rest of the team. Everyone was useless except for Kawhi, Lamarcus, Danny & Tony. TD was only useful for this game.

[Kawhitstorm]

That would be pretty stellar. I worry there is a lot of overlap between Gasol's game and Aldridge's but beggars can't be choosers at this point. Conley, Green, Leonard, Aldridge, and Gasol would be fun to watch at a minimum.

The team would still needs a bamma like Biyambo or Mozgov.

[dabom]

You misunderstand, which is no surprise. It's possible that someone with 9,000+ posts has a life outside SpursTalk. No doubt. But the cat with 9,000+ posts who makes a big deal about post counts? Yeah, that fool is a bitch with no life. That is you.
I didn't call you a No-Life though. I said "When you are starting out" because you have an extremely low post count. I was not wrong. :lmao

[Russo21]

Hoping for Conley and maybe Pau Gasol as another big man. Would pretty much be the perfect offseason. I'd like Tim to stay and come off the bench where he can play in and hopefully exploit certain matchups, then the old man wont have the pressure of playing against starters and being the 2nd best big on the team. Not ready to see him go. I'll never be ready though lol

[EIC]

Any interest in Al Horford? I am guessing the Spurs would not be able to afford both Conley and Horford under the cap.

Horford is intriguing. I like that he's played under Budenholzer for obvious reasons and I like that he's a bit younger than Pau. But I'm not 100% convinced he is worth the cash it would require to get him here. But it's a good question. My concern with Pau is it feels like we're just kicking the age can a bit further down the road instead of truly building another "Big 3" from the ground up. Horford would be a bit more along those lines.

[siraulo23]

kawhi is a great defensive player and a good all around scorer who gives 100% effort every night, but he'll never be an elite threat offensively

hopefully he comes back better next year but most likely he has reached his peak and he is who he is at this point. He'll be a great #2 or #3 option on a championship team but hee cant be the #1 guy

[dabom]

kawhi is a great defensive player and a good all around scorer who gives 100% effort every night, but he'll never be an elite threat offensively

hopefully he comes back better next year but most likely he has reached his peak and he is who he is at this point. He'll be a great #2 or #3 option on a championship team but hee cant be the #1 guy

Would you rather have harden over Kawhi? I'll wait...

[SayTown]

Kawhi is a 1.75 way player not a 2 way player his defense is 1.25 and offense is .5, when he won finals MVP Tony was the number 1 option on offense and Tim was the anchor on defense.

[siraulo23]

Would you rather have harden over Kawhi? I'll wait...

hmmm, i think a lot of people would take kawhi over harden myself included

[rasuo214]

I guess Kawhi has to be the best offensive and defensive player in the NBA before people will be satisfied and even then I'm sure they'll bitch about what he does for this team. Anyways Kawhi has improved every year going back to his HS days and I expect that to continue.

Bottom line is RC and Pop need to build up the depth on this team and not rely on a bunch of old washed up dudes trying to get a ring before they retire. Even our young guy (Anderson) played like an old dude.

[EIC]

I didn't call you a No-Life though. I said "When you are starting out" because you have an extremely low post count. I was not wrong. :lmao

Sounds good. As is evident from tonight's sampling of your over 9,000 posts, you clearly don't believe in the idea that one learns more by listening than by speaking. But tip of the cap to you for doubling down on quantity over quality. I'll let you have the last word because I know you want it and need to pad those stats.

[dabom]

Sounds good. As is evident from tonight's sampling of your over 9,000 posts, you clearly don't believe in the idea that one learns more by listening than by speaking. But tip of the cap to you for doubling down on quantity over quality. I'll let you have the last word because I know you want it and need to pad those stats.

No one was even talking about Quantity over quality though. You just added that right now. :lmao

What are you talking about now... :lmao

[rasuo214]

Any interest in Al Horford? I am guessing the Spurs would not be able to afford both Conley and Horford under the cap.

If they trade Tony they could afford to give both 17 mil a season, the problem is the Grizzles and Hawks will probably give them max money or close to it and I'm not sure they'll pass that up.

[EIC]

If they trade Tony they could afford to give both 17 mil a season, the problem is the Grizzles and Hawks will probably give them max money or close to it and I'm not sure they'll pass that up.

This is the biggest question mark. Genuine question, not rhetorical: Who would be willing to pickup Parker's contract? Lakers? Kings? That is the threshold question, IMO.

[rasuo214]

This is the biggest question mark. Genuine question, not rhetorical: Who would be willing to pickup Parker's contract? Lakers? Kings? That is the threshold question, IMO.

They would probably need to include a draft pick if they really wanted to dump that contract. Although with the cap increase maybe Parker's contract doesn't look as bad.

[james evans]

Parker's contract is bad regardless of the new salary cap. It's one of the worst contracts we've ever had along with Jefferson and Splitter's. And the most hilarious part of it all is that he was rewarded with it after a shitty playoff showing. Not even Jim Buss is dumb enough to take that contract from us

[spurs10]

It is doubtful, especially with Tim and Manu's imminent departure that the Spurs would trade/ get rid of Tony. My question would be, would he be willing to come off the bench with Bob, Kyle, Boban, and Patty if Conley and Horford were available?

[DenialTwist]

Parker's contract is bad regardless of the new salary cap. It's one of the worst contracts we've ever had along with Jefferson and Splitter's. And the most hilarious part of it all is that he was rewarded with it after a shitty playoff showing. Not even Jim Buss is dumb enough to take that contract from us

Parker was pissed when George Hill was starting over him before, what makes anyone think he will be willing to come off the bench now?
Once Timmy and Manu officially say they are retiring the spurs need to figure out a way they can trade Parker and Diaw together. They can get something good out of that combo. Parker is not the future. Spurs need an elite point guard who can go up against GS, OK, Clippers, Blazers etc. They aren't going away and that is the strongest position in the NBA right now. Parker is just not going to cut it anymore.

[Snaq O'Meal]

Parker was pissed when George Hill was starting over him before, what makes anyone think he will be willing to come off the bench now?
Once Timmy and Manu officially say they are retiring the spurs need to figure out a way they can trade Parker and Diaw together. They can get something good out of that combo. Parker is not the future. Spurs need an elite point guard who can go up against GS, OK, Clippers, Blazers etc. They aren't going away and that is the strongest position in the NBA right now. Parker is just not going to cut it anymore.

So, which elite point guard is available exactly?

[Harry Callahan]

Agree, they need more shooters to spread the floor.

You can hate Iso-teams but OKC is one of them. The biggest difference was the Thunder role players/2nd unit did the job. Kawhi and LMA weren't that lucky with their teammates.

Right on. Kawhi and LMA and Duncan put a 6 point lead on the board and the bench delivers a 0-12 run. Every single bench player sucked for most of the last five games.

OKC got more production from more players after game one. It also helps that every rotation player was under 28 years old.

Too many Spurs are over the hill right now outside of LMA and Kawhi against a very talented, but flawed team like OKC. Look at all the crap that had to go OKCs way to win this series. It took two abortions by the officials and dozens of missed, open shots to get OKC past them.

The WCF will be a five game series - most of the games will be double digit wins for GSW unless the Mongoloid Brothers are able to injure Curry. Then it will be a six game series for GSW.

[RD2191]

Dabom bullying niggas like Kawhi.

[r0drig0lac]

Go back to the beautiful game.

this, Kawhi would benefit from this change

[kaji157]

Because he couldn´t find ways to take advantage of a team with no elite defenders.

The bench, the whatever.

In both games we lost before yesterday Kawhi disappeared in the clutch.

He should get the hate, and he should improve, learn to pass the ball, improve his handles and come back next year stronger.

[RD2191]

Because he couldn´t find ways to take advantage of a team with no elite defenders.

The bench, the whatever.

In both games we lost before yesterday Kawhi disappeared in the clutch.

He should get the hate, and he should improve, learn to pass the ball, improve his handles and come back next year stronger.

Lol. Lay off the crack. This isn't the East, 1 player can't carry a team full of shit.

[Horse]

Bunch of cocksuckers he's improving every year and will be even better next season. Not to mention playing DPOY D everynight.

[kaji157]

Lol. Lay off the crack. This isn't the East, 1 player can't carry a team full of shit.
I didn´tt expect him to Carry a team. I am just asking him to take advantage of a team with no elite defenders, he failed at it. Plain and simple.

If you want to believe every other not max player on the team has the guilt for this elimination. Great for you, but leonard was guarded by Durant, Waiters and Robertson the whole series, and he didn´t take properly advantage of t.

Look at what Westbrook and Durant did playing against much better defenders.

Kawhi has to learn on this, and on top of this, learn to pass, because the difference in the series was OKC´s star ability to either score or create for others, instead SAS stars couldn´t create for other when they weren´t scoring.

[DarrinS]

It's fine to criticize Kawhi -- he deserves his share.

That being said, LMA is one of the most non-physical bigs I've ever seen. I mean, I'm glad he finally got double-digit rebounds in a game this series, I just wish he would attack the rim more. You'd expect a 6'11'' PF to get to the line at least once. But, it's hard to draw fouls when all you shoot is Dirk fadeaways off one leg.

[james evans]

So, which elite point guard is available exactly?
We don't need an "elite" pg, we just needs one that can defend better than parker(which aint saying much) and someone that doesn't try to be the fucking hero. I wouldn't even want Lillard, cuz even though he's a very good player and one of the best in the league, he takes some really bad shots when he gets tired.

[kobyz]

I tell you all along it will end the same as last season and Kawhi will fail under the pressure, this time he got barnsed by Robertson!

[james evans]

I tell you all along it will end the same as last season and Kawhi will fail under the pressure, this time he got barnsed by Robertson!
he averaged 23 a game shooting 50% while having to guard 2 of the best scorers in the leauge. wtf haha. I mean, Curry is his on defense, Kd is hid on defense. Lebron is hid on defense. Leonard doesn't get hid on defense. He has to guard his man, Parker's assignment , and also score..

[Budkin]

he averaged 23 a game shooting 50% while having to guard 2 of the best scorers in the leauge. wtf haha. I mean, Curry is his on defense, Kd is hid on defense. Lebron is hid on defense. Leonard doesn't get hid on defense. He has to guard his man, Parker's assignment , and also score..

This.

[HankChinaski]

He has to play both ways. It is exhausting. Also his shot stopped dropping from mid range after he banged his knee in game 1 or 2. Can't recall which game.

[DMC]

It's not his fault when he has absolutely no help on offense from anyone on the perimeter To take any, I repeat, any kind of pressure off of him.

But still, he needs to come up bigger if he wants to be a superstar. And this goes back to pop not letting him learn how to go for 40 every so often on blowout nights. How to carry a team through slumps a skill you learn. You gotta have the will, but you have to learn the skill.

It's not Danny's fault he cannot dribble and run. We aren't talking about fault. It's just a fact that Kawhi doesn't have the handles or the savvy to take guys off the dribble. Only a few guys in history could do what Kawhi can do, and only one could do it better (on both ends), which was MJ.

[daslicer]

I don't hate Kawhi but I do hate his bandwagon fans. They tend to be the stupidest fans on the internet up there with the Kobetards. They have delusional views of the type of player Kawhi is simply based off of him winning the Finals MVP in 2014. They make excuses for his failure such as Parker,Pop, is holding him back but when in reality he's not assertive vocally, has average ball handling skills that limit his ability to be a great offensive player.

The league in my eyes currently only has 3 legit superstars which is Lebron,Durant,Curry. That will change in the next few years with younger players developing and new players coming into the league. Outside of those 3 superstars the other good players are just stars. Kawhi is probably the best star player in the league. I would take him over Harden and Westbrook simply because those guys are serial chuckers with terribly low FG percentages. With that being said the Kawhi fans have argued all year that he was in the same class as Lebron,Durant,Curry when clearly he wasn't. I don't think Kawhi will ever be as good as those guys or reach that level but that's not a knock against Kawhi since very few players can reach that echelon. It doesn't mean the Spurs can't win a championship in the future but what it does mean is the Spurs are going to have to be a deeper team and get other guys who can be scorers to win against the Lebrons,Durants,Curries.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

^^^^^I second this motion.

[resistanze]

Sucked that his 3 point shot abandoned him too...shot like 28%.

[AztecSpur]

Kawhi seemed to peak in his 2014 finals MVP performance, the last 2 finals he hasn't lived up to the hype. He played free and easy that year, he seems to clam up now at the end of the year and defers to Tony down the stretch. I don't know if it's tired legs or what, but it's hard to watch when you really need him the most. He's a balls out kind of player, I think maybe he needs to learn to pace himself.

Or just maybe we're just expecting too much as he's actually exceeded my expectaions in the NBA.

[kaji157]

It's fine to criticize Kawhi -- he deserves his share.

That being said, LMA is one of the most non-physical bigs I've ever seen. I mean, I'm glad he finally got double-digit rebounds in a game this series, I just wish he would attack the rim more. You'd expect a 6'11'' PF to get to the line at least once. But, it's hard to draw fouls when all you shoot is Dirk fadeaways off one leg.

Dirk used to go to the line a lot with that move, and also LMA, this series the Spurs couldn´t get any call, and i´m sure in the future this series will be tainted with gambling or some issue like that.

[daslicer]

Kawhi seemed to peak in his 2014 finals MVP performance, the last 2 finals he hasn't lived up to the hype. He played free and easy that year, he seems to clam up now at the end of the year and defers to Tony down the stretch. I don't know if it's tired legs or what, but it's hard to watch when you really need him the most. He's a balls out kind of player, I think maybe he needs to learn to pace himself.

Or just maybe we're just expecting too much as he's actually exceeded my expectaions in the NBA.

He definitely stepped up in the 2014 finals but I think a lot of people forget at that time he wasn't considered by opponents as the Spurs number 1 guy. Miami didn't game plan for him going off in that series and I think that helped him a lot to be lose and free. The last 2 years in the playoffs opponents have game planned for him.

[DarrinS]

Dirk used to go to the line a lot with that move, and also LMA, this series the Spurs couldn´t get any call, and i´m sure in the future this series will be tainted with gambling or some issue like that.

It is odd that LMA didn't go to the FT line ONCE in that game.

[spursmvp]

Kawhi's all around play is the only reason we're even in the playoffs. It's not his fault OKC packed the paint and focused on him cause no one else on our team can hit the ocean. I doubt KD or lebron would've done much if they were in Kawhi's shoes in this series.

[K...]

7 pages of straw man on straw man action.

You know who should eat shit....The prior who said "Leonard should play the whole game, fuck fat head" one day and then " poor Leonard, he can't do it all" pick one. Either he's a beta choker or a guy who needs rest?

[skulls138]

Neither with LMA as #1.

But the Spurs can get success with Kawhi and LMA working as some interchangeable scoring tandem of 1-a/1-b most games.

They just need a decent supporting cast.

Westbrook didn't outplay Kawhi in the series, either Durant/LMA...but their role players killed ours.

Ive got no problem with Kawhi. He is what he is, not a pure scorer but more than makes up for it in other ways. LMA could learn a thing from him tbh. Personally I think LMA could be our number one option but only if he takes care of ALL his responsibilities. You cant be pushed around down low and expect your outside shot to keep you relevant. Its his first season with the Spurs though, will be interested to see how he looks next season.

[Kawhitstorm]

kawhi is a great defensive player and a good all around scorer who gives 100% effort every night, but he'll never be an elite threat offensively

He isn't going to be better than Carmelo b/c he doesn't have elite athleticism but he can averaged 25 ppg on 50% shooting while playing elite defense. For reference, Pippen never averaged more than 22 ppg while being the best 2-way player in the league after Jordan retired (93-95).


hopefully he comes back better next year but most likely he has reached his peak and he is who he is at this point. He'll be a great #2 or #3 option on a championship team but hee cant be the #1 guy

Curry was averaging 22 pt at the same age as Kawhi :lol

This is Kawhi 1st season as a go-to guy on offense & he has improved every season he has been in the league so I don't see why anyone would claimed "he has reached his peak" when Curry was the most improved player after an MVP season.:lol

[Kawhitstorm]

Horford is intriguing. I like that he's played under Budenholzer for obvious reasons and I like that he's a bit younger than Pau. But I'm not 100% convinced he is worth the cash it would require to get him here. But it's a good question. My concern with Pau is it feels like we're just kicking the age can a bit further down the road instead of truly building another "Big 3" from the ground up. Horford would be a bit more along those lines.

Horford/LMA would be the SOFTEST All-Star frontline in modern day NBA:lol

[Kawhitstorm]

It is doubtful, especially with Tim and Manu's imminent departure that the Spurs would trade/ get rid of Tony. My question would be, would he be willing to come off the bench with Bob, Kyle, Boban, and Patty if Conley and Horford were available?

Pop isn't EVER trading Tony, Patty/Diaw getting traded for Teague is more likely to happen. In that case, Teague can back up Tony who will be Pop's security blanket.

[bic50]

For those that are true fans of this team, it's understandable for them to be a disappointed. But bitches like thegreatcuck and longtimecuckman have been hating on kawhi all season regardless

[Kawhitstorm]

I didn´tt expect him to Carry a team. I am just asking him to take advantage of a team with no elite defenders, he failed at it. Plain and simple.

If you want to believe every other not max player on the team has the guilt for this elimination. Great for you, but leonard was guarded by Durant, Waiters and Robertson the whole series, and he didn´t take properly advantage of t.

Look at what Westbrook and Durant did playing against much better defenders.

Kawhi has to learn on this, and on top of this, learn to pass, because the difference in the series was OKC´s star ability to either score or create for others, instead SAS stars couldn´t create for other when they weren´t scoring.

If you are saying Kawhi isn't as good an offensive player as Durant & WestBRick then you are right. There is a reason why he is labeled as the best "two-way" player. Even Paul George is a more explosive offensive player than Kawhi.

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi is a 1.75 way player not a 2 way player his defense is 1.25 and offense is .5, when he won finals MVP Tony was the number 1 option on offense and Tim was the anchor on defense.

When the Spurs won in 2014, the BENCH was the #1 option & they were running a motion offense which is what suits Kawhi the best.


he averaged 23 a game shooting 50% while having to guard 2 of the best scorers in the leauge. wtf haha. I mean, Curry is his on defense, Kd is hid on defense. Lebron is hid on defense. Leonard doesn't get hid on defense. He has to guard his man, Parker's assignment , and also score..

The last player to average 22 ppg & shoot 50% while guarding KD/WB was LeBron in the 2012 Finals.

MVP Kobe had PRIME Pau/Odom & averaged 25 on 40% shooting when he had to guard Pierce/Ray Allen (Ariza was injured) in the 2008 Finals. (In 2010, he had Artest to deal w/ Pierce & Ray Allen was playing w/ two shattered ankles; still shot 40%)

[Kawhitstorm]

I don't hate Kawhi but I do hate his bandwagon fans. They tend to be the stupidest fans on the internet up there with the Kobetards. They have delusional views of the type of player Kawhi is simply based off of him winning the Finals MVP in 2014. They make excuses for his failure such as Parker,Pop, is holding him back but when in reality he's not assertive vocally, has average ball handling skills that limit his ability to be a great offensive player.

It won't take much for Kawhi to be as good a score as Carmelo: better handles & a couple of counters in the post. Maybe some respect from the refs would also help.


The league in my eyes currently only has 3 legit superstars which is Lebron,Durant,Curry. That will change in the next few years with younger players developing and new players coming into the league. Outside of those 3 superstars the other good players are just stars. Kawhi is probably the best star player in the league. I would take him over Harden and Westbrook simply because those guys are serial chuckers with terribly low FG percentages. With that being said the Kawhi fans have argued all year that he was in the same class as Lebron,Durant,Curry when clearly he wasn't. I don't think Kawhi will ever be as good as those guys or reach that level but that's not a knock against Kawhi since very few players can reach that echelon. It doesn't mean the Spurs can't win a championship in the future but what it does mean is the Spurs are going to have to be a deeper team and get other guys who can be scorers to win against the Lebrons,Durants,Curries.

Folks were claiming Curry wasn't even a top 5 player last season & we all know how that turned out. Kawhi was the second most improved player in the league next to Curry & is 4 years younger.

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi seemed to peak in his 2014 finals MVP performance, the last 2 finals he hasn't lived up to the hype. He played free and easy that year, he seems to clam up now at the end of the year and defers to Tony down the stretch. I don't know if it's tired legs or what, but it's hard to watch when you really need him the most. He's a balls out kind of player, I think maybe he needs to learn to pace himself.

Kawhi expends as much energy on defense as Harden does on offense, Harden's excuse for playing ZERO defense is that he has to carry the offense.

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi's all around play is the only reason we're even in the playoffs. It's not his fault OKC packed the paint and focused on him cause no one else on our team can hit the ocean. I doubt KD or lebron would've done much if they were in Kawhi's shoes in this series.

We all saw what 24 year old Durant was made of after WestBrick got injured in 2013 & he ended up shooting 42% while hiding on Tony Allen when 60 win OKC got bounced in 5 games by the same Grizz the Spurs SWEPT in the WCF w/ Porker styling on Tony Allen.


OKLAHOMA CITY — During the fourth quarter, Kevin Durant could often be found leaning over, grabbing his shorts. Yeah, the Oklahoma City Thunder's superstar was gassed — but the universally recognizable sign was unnecessary. Going into the final seconds, the stat sheet told the story: 5-for-20.

Even so, down two points in the final seconds Wednesday, there was never a question, who would take the last shot for Oklahoma City. On this night, given Durant's evident fatigue, maybe the outcome wasn't surprising, either.

After going 2-for-13 and scoring only five points beginning with the fourth quarter of Game 4, Durant's slump worsened. At times, he seemed frustrated — though he later denied it — by the combination of Memphis' defense and a shotmaker's sudden inability to make shots.
"I gave it all I had for my team," Durant said. "I left it all on the floor. I missed 16 shots, but I kept fighting and I kept being aggressive. That's all I can ask for."
But as his shots fell short, he passed up seeming opportunities. For long stretches Wednesday, the Thunder's best player disappeared. Durant's first attempt of the second half — another miss — came almost five minutes in, with Memphis up by 14. A moment later, Durant rebounded his own free throw miss and scored. Next trip downcourt, with a rare open transition 3-pointer, he threw up an air ball.



The narrative following that series was that Durant wasn't in LeBron's league: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1641765-kevin-durants-2013-playoff-run-proves-how-far-he-is-from-lebron-james-level


If Durant was LeBron, though, it wouldn't have needed to be. He would have been able to will his team to victory the way LeBron did in Cleveland. Not to a championship—LeBron couldn't even win one alone. But close to one.
He didn't, though. Because he's not LeBron. No one is. Not Kobe Bryant (http://bleacherreport.com/kobe-bryant), not Carmelo Anthony (http://bleacherreport.com/carmelo-anthony) and not Chris Paul (http://bleacherreport.com/chris-paul).
No one. LeBron is on his own level. An unreachable pedestal that not even Durant can approach. There have been arguments that attempt to convince otherwise, but they can't. Not now.

[Hoops Czar]

It won't take much for Kawhi to be as good a score as Carmelo: better handles & a couple of counters in the post. Maybe some respect from the refs would also help.




Folks were claiming Curry wasn't even a top 5 player last season & we all know how that turned out. Kawhi was the second most improved player in the league next to Curry & is 4 years younger.

You can sit there and project all you want, but, neither Carmelo or Kawhi makes their teammates better on the offensive side of the ball because they're not playmakers. As good of a scorer Carmelo has been over the years, his team's have been nothing short of disappointing. If the Spurs want to sniff the finals in the Leonard era, He better adapt his game to Lebron's, not Anthony's or this team will be a consistent one and done in the playoffs. As leonard's team, they're still looking for their first legitimate playoff series win.

[Kawhitstorm]

You can sit there and project all you want, but, neither Carmelo or Kawhi makes their teammates better on the offensive side of the ball because they're not playmakers. As good of a scorer Carmelo has been over the years, his team's have been nothing short of disappointing. If the Spurs want to sniff the finals in the Leonard era, He better adapt his game to Lebron's, not Anthony's or this team will be a consistent one and done in the playoffs. As leonard's team, they're still looking for their first legitimate playoff series win.

Last I checked Carmelo plays James Harden-ish defense.:lol

If Carmelo played defense like Kawhi then the Nuggets would have beaten the Lakers in 2009 WCF & Carmelo would have a ring considering how LeBron/Kobe destroyed the Magic.

[spursistan]

Horford/LMA would be the SOFTEST All-Star frontline in modern day NBA:lol
:lmao

[Kawhitstorm]

:lmao

Imagine 2008 Finals Pau/Odom except softer.:lol

[SAGirl]

Horford/LMA would be the SOFTEST All-Star frontline in modern day NBA:lol
Yes I don't want Horford I'd rather get an athletic raw player like Biyombo, Nerlens Noel. Someone who is a freaking athlete who is going to gobble up a rebound, but both guys are raw, Noel I have seen biting on fakes, etc. A raw athlete like that will be a pain for Pop to deal with but I would rather have Pop going that way.

[tholdren]

Spurs should just play Kyle Anderson..... by himself...... against the whole other team

[Kawhitstorm]

Yes I don't want Horford I'd rather get an athletic raw player like Biyombo, Nerlens Noel. Someone who is a freaking athlete who is going to gobble up a rebound, but both guys are raw, Noel I have seen biting on fakes, etc. A raw athlete like that will be a pain for Pop to deal with but I would rather have Pop going that way.

Rck7l7peKBo

[SAGirl]

Rck7l7peKBo
Wow! Lol how low can we go?

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Team can't defend without Kawhi. Team can't rebound without Kawhi. Team can't score without KAwhi. Team can't playmake without Kawhi. Fuck your standards faggot. We got players that whole job is to score, and they couldn't even do that.

Im with you on this but at the end of the day, Leonard cant go 8-23 in an elimination game. That needs to be 13-23 at worst. He either needs to up his efficiency by taking better shots or take less shots and focus on facilitating more. He does a lot for our defense but some of that is negated with careless plays where he gets pickpocketed from behind or when he takes tough contested long jumpers.

[daslicer]

It won't take much for Kawhi to be as good a score as Carmelo: better handles & a couple of counters in the post. Maybe some respect from the refs would also help.



Folks were claiming Curry wasn't even a top 5 player last season & we all know how that turned out. Kawhi was the second most improved player in the league next to Curry & is 4 years younger.

Those people who hated on Curry last year from a talent level are idiots. It was clear even last year he was the best player in the league. Can't compare Kawhi and Curry when it comes to growth since both of their games are different. Curry has always been a great ball handler. I don't see Kawhi ever having great handles and unfortunately that holds him back.

[spursmvp]

Im with you on this but at the end of the day, Leonard cant go 8-23 in an elimination game. That needs to be 13-23 at worst. He either needs to up his efficiency by taking better shots or take less shots and focus on facilitating more. He does a lot for our defense but some of that is negated with careless plays where he gets pickpocketed from behind or when he takes tough contested long jumpers.

He takes those long jumpers because no one else on our team could hit the ocean. Facilitating implies that your teammates can actually hit open shots. When the defense is completely focused on him what did you expect him to do?

Our problem is not kawhi, it's the rest of the team being too old or lacking talent.

If you put KD in kawhi's shoes in game 6, I doubt he would fare much better with those shitty lineups we got out on the floor.

[tholdren]

He takes those long jumpers because no one else on our team could hit the ocean. Facilitating implies that your teammates can actually hit open shots. When the defense is completely focused on him what did you expect him to do?

Our problem is not kawhi, it's the rest of the team being too old or lacking talent.

If you put KD in kawhi's shoes in game 6, I doubt he would fare much better with those shitty lineups we got out on the floor.
not true...

[therealtruth]

Im with you on this but at the end of the day, Leonard cant go 8-23 in an elimination game. That needs to be 13-23 at worst. He either needs to up his efficiency by taking better shots or take less shots and focus on facilitating more. He does a lot for our defense but some of that is negated with careless plays where he gets pickpocketed from behind or when he takes tough contested long jumpers.

I agree he's got to go back to the gym and work on becoming a more complete player. Force the other team to foul him or get the basket. Jumpers are too easy to defend. He's also got to be able to handle the ball in crunch time so he can be the closer.

[SD126]

Yes I don't want Horford I'd rather get an athletic raw player like Biyombo, Nerlens Noel. Someone who is a freaking athlete who is going to gobble up a rebound, but both guys are raw, Noel I have seen biting on fakes, etc. A raw athlete like that will be a pain for Pop to deal with but I would rather have Pop going that way.

Did you bring up Nerlens Noel?? Seriously??

[spurraider21]

lebron ate shit for a LOT of years while being clearly the best player in the league

it comes with the territory of being a great player

[Kawhitstorm]

lebron ate shit for a LOT of years while being clearly the best player in the league

it comes with the territory of being a great player

LeBron ate shit for the following reasons:

-He quit in the 2nd half of the 2009 ECF elimination game when he was the MVP
-He was GHOST (zero FGs in the 1st half) of a pivotal Gm 5 against the Celtics in 2010 when he was the MVP
-Took his talents to South Beach
-Was milk carton status in the 2011 Finals

Kawhi didn't quit or go milk carton status in a playoff series.:wakeup