The Athletic: Kawhi Leonard ruined the Clippers locker room/culture

[Rusty]

https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1334142779853852674?s=20

okay I give up. I tried 3 times to post this dam tweet and it never shows up. WTF is going on

[Dejounte]

Lmfao at the Kawhi nuthuggers who scoffed at the idea that they could have a meltdown this season

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1334151433810227201?s=19

[Rusty]

Before every Clippers game last season, the team’s training staff would honor Kawhi Leonard’s request and create a private space for his pregame routine.

The staffers would enter and take over that space for roughly 20 to 45 minutes, according to multiple team and league sources. On the road, there were occasions when the space they occupied was the female staffers’ locker room. That also happened sometimes before a doubleheader at Staples Center when the changing of the court limited the availability of the Los Angeles Kings’ locker room, where Leonard normally warmed up privately.

Various Clippers players, coaches and staffers were aware of the arrangement and some felt uneasy about it. While there appeared to be no sexist intent, the visual of women staffers being unable to use their locker room to use the bathroom, to change clothes or to access their personal belongings while Leonard stretched did not go unnoticed. At least one player mentioned it to a confidant and at least one staffer complained about it to coworkers. It was an awkward arrangement, but drawing too much attention to it risked being seen as going against Leonard, the team’s unquestioned star, in the eyes of the organization.

“What were they going to do about it?” one league source said. “It’s Kawhi.”

When reached for comment by The Athletic, the Clippers denied that staffers had ever been dismissed out of a locker room space for Leonard and the training staff, adding that his stretching was scheduled on the team’s pregame itinerary and that spaces, particularly on the road, were limited and would sometimes serve multiple functions.

If there was one dynamic that showed the issues with some of the preferential treatment the Clippers conceded to Leonard and Paul George last season, and how it affected both other players and staffers, it was Leonard’s pregame privacy request. And while the locker room space situation didn’t happen in the NBA’s restart in the Orlando bubble, the chemistry issues created earlier in the season contributed to the team’s shocking loss in the Western Conference semifinals. Up 3-1, LA dropped games 5, 6 and 7 after having led the Denver Nuggets in each of them at halftime.

On and off the court, the players never established the requisite chemistry, continuity or trust to win a championship in their first year together. The organization estimated it could layer superstars on top of the core group of returning role players to win a title, but it awfully misjudged the internal blowback over everything from playing time to preferential treatment to personality differences.

“How do you ever build a strong team with that shit going on?” one team source said. “I thought from the beginning, ‘We’re doomed. Kawhi wants too much special treatment.’”

NBA players understand that the league is a star-driven operation, and it doesn’t start or stop with Leonard and George. Every All-Star receives some form of preferential treatment, and the Clippers were no different, especially in light of the uncertainty regarding their stars’ contract status — both players can enter free agency again in 2021.

But according to multiple league sources, the perks the Clippers gave Leonard and George began to compromise the standard of the culture they had built over the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons — the very culture that the Clippers used, in part, to attract Leonard and George to Los Angeles.

Some of those perks included:

• Leonard and George were the only players to have their own personal security guards and trainers.

• Leonard and George had power over the team’s practice and travel schedule, leading teammates to believe Leonard canceled multiple practices.

• Leonard was allowed to live in San Diego and commute from there, which often made him late for team flights.

• Leonard and George typically didn’t speak to the media until at least 45 minutes after games concluded, under the guise of postgame treatment or workouts. This usually resulted in their teammates speaking with the media first, and for longer, essentially becoming the public voices of the team.

• Teammates also believed that Leonard and George were able to pick and choose when they played. Not only did they sit out games entirely, but also at times they accepted or declined playing time in the moment.

While star treatment can work in a locker room, and some of these practices aren’t necessarily unique to the Clippers, it resulted in a lack of buy-in from this particular group, league sources said.

The hard-nosed, competitive culture the team had built from 2017 to ’19, predicated on their all-for-one ethos, was undone in a matter of months, and now a challenging new season beckons, with camps opening this week and games tipping off three days before Christmas.

Following the playoff elimination by the Nuggets, which ruined a much-anticipated Lakers-Clippers conference finals, reserve guard Lou Williams, who was often the public conscience of the team to the media, offered insight into why LA flamed out.

“I think a lot of the issues that we ran into, talent bailed us out,” Williams said. “Chemistry, it didn’t. In this series, it failed us.”

Williams uttered the word “chemistry” three times postgame. Then-coach Doc Rivers cited “trust” three times. George also mentioned “chemistry,” adding that the Clippers dealt with “adversity” and “didn’t get much time to be together.”

The team’s coded language all pointed back to the same issue: The Clippers were rarely on the same page during the 2019-20 season.

Even in the aftermath of their ouster, the Clippers couldn’t agree on the context of their failed season together. George surprisingly downplayed the team’s internal ambition despite the potential two-year window he and Leonard could be in L.A.

“I think, internally, we’ve always felt, this is not a championship-or-bust year for us,” George said.

Meanwhile, Williams shared the opposing viewpoint, one that most of the Clippers felt internally: This past season was title-or-bust.

“We did have championship expectations,” Williams said. “We had the talent to do it. I don’t think we had the chemistry to do it — and it showed.”

The Clippers’ postgame comments were a microcosm of the internal disconnect that affected the team all season.

The calamitous ending was the tipping point for Rivers, along with his lack of postseason adjustments and several philosophical differences about the team’s future, which led the franchise to mutually part ways with him.

Following a two-week coaching search, the Clippers hired Tyronn Lue, an assistant on Rivers’ coaching staff, to replace his mentor on Oct. 20.

Lue enters one of the more intriguing and high-pressure situations in the league. He has a Leonard- and George-led group that will compete for a championship immediately, but there will be several lingering challenges — including implementing greater accountability in the locker room — that he and the organization need to resolve ahead of the next playoff run.

Looming over the entire situation is Leonard’s and George’s 2021 free agency.

Back in January, The Athletic chronicled the Clippers’ inner strife, including the awkward adjustment period incorporating Leonard and George and the locker room’s resentment toward their preferential treatment. The quiet personalities never fully clicked, leading to a divide between the taciturn stars and seemingly marginalized role players, league sources said.

When adversity eventually hit in the playoffs, the Clippers unraveled under the pressure.

“They didn’t have good chemistry,” one league source said. “How could they?”

Immediately, Lue and his coaching staff are facing a similar challenge to the one he overcame during his first season in Cleveland: holding his superstars accountable and settling the group of complex personalities.

One of the central issues last season was that the Clippers essentially built the core of their roster from the outside in, rather than the inside out.

The dynamic primarily affected the most prominent players from the previous season, namely Williams, Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell, multiple league sources said. Those three had enjoyed greater adulation and responsibility in the prior season and didn’t always agree with the perceived internal hierarchy.

Most championship teams have a foundational star in place for several seasons before their first title. But the 2019-20 Clippers didn’t have that piece. They attempted to defy experience and continuity through Leonard’s and George’s incredible talent and the base of the prior season’s exceptional chemistry.

It’s possible to win in Year 1 — the 2019-20 Lakers won the title with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in their first season together — but it’s historically uncommon. Unlike James, Leonard and George aren’t vocal leaders; they’re lead-by-example types.

The Clippers’ previous leadership regime — Beverley and Williams — was more vocal in nature. Beverley is a direct, if not confrontational leader, while Williams is a calming presence who picks his spots. But after being displaced within the team’s hierarchy, they weren’t as comfortable as the season before, multiple league sources said.

“Who did they look to as the guy that was going to bring them all together?” one league source said. “It can’t be the coach all the time.”

Leonard’s reticence was a tone-setter in the Clippers’ locker room.

The 2018-19 Clippers had a fun, light energy about them. The group visibly enjoyed being around one another, in part because they were a ragtag group with middling expectations.

Conversely, the 2019-20 Clippers had a much different vibe. Those around the team often categorized it as “off” or “weird.” The players didn’t joke around as much before or after games. They were far more serious — and quiet. Players, coaches and staffers became less friendly with and available to the media.

For better or worse, Leonard’s personality is enveloping, particularly as he’s grown into a superstar who doesn’t embrace the spotlight.

It presented a juggling act for Rivers, who was essentially in a lose-lose situation when it came to balancing the locker room’s personalities, egos and sensitivities. It was impossible to keep everyone content and connected.

“Pat, in particular, took the brunt of not feeling special,” one team source said.

Teammates had a level of acceptance of Leonard’s preferential treatment, as his status as a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP — the then-reigning Finals MVP, at that — was indisputable.

But George’s treatment was more of an issue within the locker room, league sources said. George, while a perennial All-Star and All-NBA candidate, didn’t carry the same cachet with his teammates. There was a sentiment among certain teammates of, “What have you accomplished in the playoffs?” multiple league sources said.

The special treatment might have gone over better in the locker room had Leonard’s and George’s teammates felt they had a stronger relationship or bond with their superstar colleagues. Several members of the locker room felt that injuries should have allowed Leonard and George ample time to establish a better rapport with their teammates, but that never happened.

According to league sources, Leonard oftentimes was hanging out with close friend and Clippers assistant coach Jeremy Castleberry, whom Leonard has known since high school. George stuck with Reggie Jackson, one of his best friends in the league, and former Oklahoma City teammate Patrick Patterson.

The Clippers’ lack of personal connections led to communication issues in crucial moments, including, most notably, during their collapse against the Nuggets.

The players didn’t always address on-court issues or miscommunication or hold one another accountable. More often than not, the Clippers tried to sweep their issues — offensive stagnation, defensive miscommunication, inconsistent rebounding, etc. — under the rug rather than address them, league sources said.

When there was conflict, the group would typically go silent, the players retreating into their own worlds, on their phones or at their lockers. There was a discernible distance between the team, multiple league sources said.

“There was no dialogue when things weren’t good,” one league source said. “You need more than the rah-rah from Pat Beverley, every once in a while, that amps everybody up.”

Recognizing this, some players and coaches tried to improve the situation. After a rough stretch in early January, including Harrell’s eyebrow-raising comments to the media about the state of the team’s locker room, Leonard organized a series of players-only film sessions. He also worked out with Beverley and George during the hiatus after the league shut down because of the coronavirus.

But there wasn’t consistency behind his actions with teammates, multiple league sources said. He didn’t talk up his teammates publicly the way other stars do, or even behind the scenes. Leonard’s leadership progressed throughout the season, but it never reached the level it needed to foster a championship culture.

Rivers would frequently step in, at practices and in the locker room during games, initiating difficult conversations from which the group often refrained. But his voice stopped carrying the same weight, eventually. Overall, he wasn’t able to fully hold his players or coaching staff accountable, multiple league sources said.

Marcus Morris Sr., whom the Clippers acquired at the February 2020 trade deadline, entered the locker room with the intent of asserting himself as a leader after pacing the New York Knicks in scoring. He quickly became one of the team’s louder voices.

While league sources say Morris had good intentions with teammates, and was trying to step into the clear leadership void that he had observed when he joined the team, Morris’ advice for his new teammates didn’t always go over well.

“You don’t want to be the guy that just shows up and starts telling people what to do,” one league source said.

[Rusty]

According to league sources, center Ivica Zubac and Morris had several heated arguments early in Morris’ tenure, with Zubac essentially saying, “Why are you telling me to change what I’m doing after I’ve been doing it successfully all season?”

The ongoing adjustment and power dynamic between the stars and the role players prevented other Clippers from stepping up, creating a vacuum that was never filled — one that played a part in the team’s eventual collapse.

“If you were to ask all 15 players individually who the leader was, you’d get a lot of different answers,” one league source said.

The Clippers’ issue was often not what was said, but rather what wasn’t. That dynamic, coupled with the team’s injuries and lack of practice time due to the schedule and Rivers’ coaching style, led to a lack of continuity ahead of the NBA’s bubble restart in Orlando in July.

Before the hiatus, the Clippers were playing their best basketball of the season. They went 7-2 out of the All-Star break, including a six-game win streak. After an inconsistent and injury-riddled season, they were healthy and jelling heading toward the playoffs.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic spread and the NBA shut down. The Clippers’ momentum was halted. The organization tried to remain proactive, sending personalized workout equipment to each player’s home. They coined the phrase “win the wait” and held multiple weekly workouts over Zoom. Leonard trained with George and Beverley in San Diego and Los Angeles.

As basketball’s return neared, it appeared the team would finally be whole. But the Orlando bubble was the perfect confluence of issues for the Clippers. They dealt with injuries and absences at inopportune times, and never rediscovered their rhythm.

Zubac and Landry Shamet tested positive for COVID-19. Morris Sr. and JaMychal Green arrived late for personal reasons. Harrell, Beverley and Williams each left the bubble due to the deaths of loved ones. Harrell missed a month. Williams attended the funeral of a family friend, stopping by the Magic City strip club for its famous chicken wings, only to be photographed and outed on social media (https://www.tmz.com/2020/07/24/jack-harlow-lou-williams-picture-old-nba-bubble/) by rapper Jack Harlow, leading to Williams being forced to quarantine for 10 days.

Once in the bubble, Beverley dealt with a strained left calf that caused him to miss five seeding games and five playoff games. George acknowledged dealing with anxiety and depression, which especially affected him in the Dallas series. Harrell was never again himself, looking physically compromised and less explosive as his numbers declined and the Clippers were outscored badly with him on the floor.

The constant turnover meant the Clippers never knew who was going to be available. While other teams were picking up from before the break, the Clippers were playing lineups and rotations they weren’t going to use in the postseason, all while some of their players struggled to regain their pre-hiatus form.

The bubble forced Clippers players to spend more time with one another, given their proximity and lack of alternative options to spend their time. Until Aug. 31, players didn’t have family or guests in the bubble. The Clippers were attempting to play catch-up chemistry-wise, and, at that point, they were too far behind other teams, league sources said.

But the same issues that the Clippers faced in the regular season transferred over to the bubble. Another point of contention was that certain players felt teammates were looking out for their contracts more than the team, league sources said. Earlier in the season, teammates had felt Harrell was looking out for his numbers because he was a pending free agent, and that belief continued into the bubble.

With higher stakes and pressure, there were several blow-ups between players, with George often at the center of the tension, with teammates citing a lack of accountability from him.

In the first-round series versus Dallas, Williams and George exchanged expletives amid a heated disagreement about accountability, league sources said. In the Denver series, George and Harrell got into a verbal spat during a timeout in Game 2, as Yahoo Sports first reported.

George’s comments to the media about the team still being in the “driver’s seat” after losing Game 6 to Denver didn’t go over well with his teammates, league sources said. It was made worse by George and Jackson openly sulking together in the locker room over their poor performances, which rubbed some teammates the wrong way throughout the playoffs.

During Game 7, several players felt George (10 points on 4-of-16 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 38 minutes) didn’t play with the type of effort or sense of urgency that matched his public comments.

“It looked like he was coasting the entire game,” one league source said. “He looked like he was floating.”

Afterward, his impassioned speech to his teammates about bouncing back and returning next season rang hollow, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Sept. 21.

Rivers also failed to make proper adjustments, including playing Harrell fewer minutes and going with smaller, better-spaced lineups. His inability to counter in a timely manner in both the Dallas and Denver series was a significant factor in the Clippers demise.

The team’s Game 7 blowout loss confirmed to some around the Clippers that there was a front-runner quality to the team, in that they could trash-talk and jeer when they were ahead — like when Damian Lillard missed two free throws in a seeding game to cost the Trail Blazers — but that the team was hanging by a thread when it was behind, ready to crumble.

The Clippers hired Lue, in part, because of his ability to hold star players accountable. In Cleveland, he got their star triumvirate to buy into his messaging from Day 1. That entailed challenging James from the outset, as well as establishing a clear pecking order with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love behind James.

In Los Angeles, Lue will look to push Leonard and George to forgo certain requests or standards to set a better example for their teammates, league sources said. Additionally, he’ll establish a clearer internal hierarchy with the remaining role players, ensuring that players are on the same page and there is no confusion regarding roles and responsibilities. This is Leonard’s team, and Lue is going to let the locker room know that.

At his introductory press conference in mid-October, Lue was grilled about the team’s chemistry and continuity concerns. He chalked up the issues as more due to circumstance — health, the bubble and several personal tragedies — than the team actually not getting along.

“I think we’re talking about chemistry and continuity, and it’s not more so off the court and guys not liking each other,” Lue said. “… When we talk about chemistry and continuity, it’s more so on the basketball court of just being familiar with guys and how guys like to receive the ball or where this guy is going to be on the floor. … I think that comes from being healthy and not having as many injuries.”

There is an element of truth to Lue’s sentiment.

Leonard and George only played together in 37 of the 72 regular-season games (51.4 percent of games), preventing the Clippers from gaining the reps they needed between their two best players. LA only had its top 10 rotation players healthy for 11 games. The Clippers tied the Warriors for the most starting lineups used, and were second behind the Bucks in total lineups used more than once.

Leonard and George were understandably focused on maintaining their health, with an eye toward a deep postseason run. But grinders like Williams, Harrell, Beverley and Green were focused on the present — playing hard every day, no matter the circumstance. There was a clear contrast between the approaches, league sources said.

In addition, some players grappled with their change in identity, as multiple players acknowledged to The Athletic throughout the season. They weren’t used to being the hunted instead of the hunters. The isolation nature of the new offense, particularly when Leonard was on the floor, also led to a diminished sense of joy with the team’s playing style.

“You’ve got a lot of parts,” Williams said after Game 7. “You go from last year, we were the team that wasn’t expected to make the playoffs, to going and being a championship-caliber team when you bring in two high-level guys. That’s an adjustment.

“Trez and I, we had to adjust our games. I think everybody had to sacrifice and put themselves in a different position and that type of thing takes time, especially when you’re doing it for years at a time.”

The Clippers’ free agency showed that the team and its players had some irreconcilable differences. The Clippers re-signed Morris, Jackson and Patterson, but watched as Harrell and Green — two key members of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 teams — left for contract dollars that the Clippers could have matched or surpassed.


The Clippers rebounded by signing Serge Ibaka, whose 3-and-D skill set, championship experience and public friendship with Leonard are positive additions to the locker room. His affable personality should serve as a connecting force between players. Aside from Ibaka’s arguably superior fit on the court, mixing up the team’s locker room dynamic could prove to be the change the Clippers need. LA also traded for Luke Kennard and signed Nicolas Batum to bolster the bench.

Moreover, the Clippers are planning to make several notable adjustments under Lue this season, prioritizing modern principles like pace, spacing, shooting and small ball more than they did under Rivers. Based on his teams’ rate of improvement in Cleveland, Lue has the potential to unlock the best version of the Clippers on both ends. He’s already discussed playing with more ball movement, which would likely translate to an offense in which players feel more important and involved.

Clipper players are excited to play for Lue, league sources said. The team is well aware that iso-ball won’t work this season. This season’s squad should be able to build continuity off of last season, with midseason newcomers like Morris and Jackson able to participate in training camp. The Clippers will also have Leonard and George available in training camp after missing some (Leonard) or all of it (George) last season.

Lue’s additions to his coaching staff — Dan Craig, Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Roy Rogers and Larry Drew II — are well-regarded around the league for a wide range of skills, including player development. The Clippers are confident that their offseason personnel changes, coupled with Lue’s strengths as a tactician and locker-room leader, will be the solution to most of their issues from last season, league sources said.

As the Clippers begin the second year of the Leonard-George partnership, the burden is on Lue, the front office and ownership to figure out how to maximize the pairing. After last season’s embarrassing ending, that task includes continuing to evaluate and determine which players fit around Leonard and George, both on and off the court.

The pressure is on for LA to learn from last season’s cultural mistakes. The onus is also on Leonard and George to take greater accountability and establish a healthier locker room dynamic this season, which league sources say the duo is aware of. The 2021 free-agency period is looming.

Perhaps there will be fewer examples of preferential treatment this season, be it the team revising its approach or the superstars re-evaluating the method’s effectiveness. Or perhaps nothing will change on that front and this season’s role players will simply be more accepting of their limitations and responsibilities, meshing better with their superstar counterparts.

The Clippers had as much, if not more talent than any other team in the NBA last season. But the ingredients never quite mixed right.

Ultimately, the first season of this chemistry experiment failed. Now it’s back to the lab.

[The Truth #6]

In retrospect, we should’ve traded him to the Lakers as a Trojan horse to sabotage their franchise.

[Ocotillo]

Thanks for sharing the article but the font color in the second post.....only yellow or white would have been worse.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

In retrospect, we should’ve traded him to the Lakers as a Trojan horse to sabotage their franchise.

He and Lebron in the same locker room would have been epic drama. Not sure the Lakers would have sucked his peepee the way Balmer is, tho.

[The Truth #6]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/26/16/16541378-7290059-image-a-41_1564156751266.jpg

A man worth 80 billion dollars ON THE BOOKS 1 billion is easy to pay cash for a Facility, I knew this was gonna happen. Those teammates knew what was gonna go on when they signed him. You think an owner who is willing to pay for his own stadium out of pocket(an was willing to buy out his lease and shorten the time table) gives a fuck about what some mealy-mouthed writer in the Athletic digs up about "locker room chemistry". Lets be Honest there was shit chemistry in the clippers locker room before Leonard, there was Shit Lockeroom chemistry in the waning years at Boston. Doc Rivers has shit locker Rooms, there will eventually be even worse chemistry issues in Philly. He is now apparently using his "media contacts" (White supremacist burnt down my house in that hot bet of white supremacy San Antonio....nah it was a Stripper you were fucking and let live in your house) to write a hit piece on Ballmer because he fired his ass because Leonard and George agreed to it.

Sure we hate Nephew, but don't be a sucker and fall for Docs Bullshit. THE ATHLETIC???


Players do get tired of Doc after a few years, I agree there. But by all accounts the players were all getting along before Nephew arrived and things quickly imploded. I mean, he imploded our team, too. It's hard not to blame him a lot, even if this is probably a hit piece of an article orchestrated by Doc.

But more importantly, tell us more about this stripper.

[The Truth #6]

https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286017&highlight=Doc+Rivers+White+Supremacist

Post 71 page 3, Doc was floating this story through his kid about "skin heads" in SA in 1997 burning down a house he owned in The Shavano Park area of NW San Antonio/Bexar County.
I remembered what the strippers were chattering about, the news broadcast, the burnt husk being sold. So I did some research of my own with some SAFD buddy of mine and he help me confirm the Strippers chatter and what i recollected from the local News Story broadcast when it happened. I was living in that Area at the time sharing coke and things to the strippers at All Stars and the Palace

Also, very interesting.

[Nobull]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/07/26/16/16541378-7290059-image-a-41_1564156751266.jpg

A man worth 80 billion dollars ON THE BOOKS 1 billion is easy to pay cash for a Facility, I knew this was gonna happen. Those teammates knew what was gonna go on when they signed him. You think an owner who is willing to pay for his own stadium out of pocket(an was willing to buy out his lease and shorten the time table) gives a fuck about what some mealy-mouthed writer in the Athletic digs up about "locker room chemistry". Lets be Honest there was shit chemistry in the clippers locker room before Leonard, there was Shit Lockeroom chemistry in the waning years at Boston. Doc Rivers has shit locker Rooms, there will eventually be even worse chemistry issues in Philly. He is now apparently using his "media contacts" (White supremacist burnt down my house in that hot bet of white supremacy San Antonio....nah it was a Stripper you were fucking and let live in your house) to write a hit piece on Ballmer because he fired his ass because Leonard and George agreed to it.

Sure we hate Nephew, but don't be a sucker and fall for Docs Bullshit. THE ATHLETIC???

I need more context on the stripper thing. I admit I hate therefore his pain makes me happy. He will sabotage the 76ers too.

[MultiTroll]

49-23 good for 2nd in West Conf.
154 points good for third all time in Game 4 vs Nuggets to go up 3-1 (albeit the bubble).

That doesn't sound like some super dysfunctional trouble maker. I'd like to know what exactly came down from the end of Game 4 to midway thru game 5 on to the completed collapse.

[Mugen]

Bryn got the same type of treatment last year from Pop and the Spurs were a 12th seed :lol

[MultiTroll]

George far more the problem then Nephew.
But Nephew and Uncle recruiting George has proven to be their undoing.

Stoopid move.

[RD2191]

Clippers "culture" :lol

[RD2191]

Bryn got the same type of treatment last year from Pop and the Spurs were a 12th seed :lol
:lol

[offset formation]

Lmfao at the Kawhi nuthuggers who scoffed at the idea that they could have a meltdown this season

Nothing worse on this planet besides a neph apologist.

[phxspurfan]

it resulted in a lack of buy-in from this particular group

hmmm... I wonder which group...perhaps the one who's all gone and soon to be all gone now

[phxspurfan]

George far more the problem then Nephew

wtf happen to him last season? He was balling out for OKC then laid a massive egg on LA

[phxspurfan]

He and Lebron in the same locker room would have been epic drama. Not sure the Lakers would have sucked his peepee the way Balmer is, tho.

LeBron wouldve shat all over this guy. He's the epitome of all talent no effort at this point. Say what you want about LeBron and the NBA bending all kinds of rules for him, but he puts in the work. His skills and training are obvious

[MultiTroll]

wtf happen to him last season? He was balling out for OKC then laid a massive egg on LANo pressure, no playoff expectation.
Playoff Pee.

[tonight...you]

wtf happen to him last season? He was balling out for OKC then laid a massive egg on LA
He said it himself, it was no champ or bust year for him.
Dude coasted because he doesn't desire to be great.

[Joseph Kony]

at least a lot of people are starting to realize SA wasn't the problem and Nephew is just a giant bitch

[tonight...you]

at least a lot of people are starting to realize SA wasn't the problem and Nephew is just a giant bitch
As soon as Uncle and best bud Castleberry (lol assistant coach) stepped up to the hungry plate, it was obvious.

[Degoat]

Shit infuriates me lol people who aren’t spurs fans actually believe the spurs screwed Kawhi, I hope he keeps getting exposed

[RD2191]

Shit infuriates me lol people who aren’t spurs fans actually believe the spurs screwed Kawhi, I hope he keeps getting exposed
Shut up, faggot.

[Degoat]

Shut up, faggot.

It’s 2020 bro, you can’t be dropping the F word like that...

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

wrong forum tbh

[FireMicoHalili]

the current Clippers team as constructed barely resembles the squad that overcame a 31-point deficit against the Warriors. They're even looking to deal Lou Will, who was a main cog of that scrappy iteration of the Clippers. All that change just to accommodate a diva who signed on for just two years (IIRC, please correct me if I'm wrong). Standard clownery from Ballmer lmao

[offset formation]

the current Clippers team as constructed barely resembles the squad that overcame a 31-point deficit against the Warriors. They're even looking to deal Lou Will, who was a main cog of that scrappy iteration of the Clippers. All that change just to accommodate a diva who signed on for just two years (IIRC, please correct me if I'm wrong). Standard clownery from Ballmer lmao

I could see him bailing to Phoenix, Miami, or Orlando after next year if it implodes on them again. Cause it'll have to be a warm spot cause he's a fucking diva. I'd even say Houston but I know he's not wanting to be in Texas that much.

Also, lol at the notion from that article that they're going to stop doing iso-ball with neph. Like you thought neph was king of load management before having to play at pace in a compressed schedule. Fuck that guy.

[timtonymanu]

at least a lot of people are starting to realize SA wasn't the problem and Nephew is just a giant bitch

Most stupid comment by casual fans: Spurs fans should be grateful. He's the reason they won #5.

[Mr. Body]

Most stupid comment by casual fans: Spurs fans should be grateful. He's the reason they won #5.

Nah. The FO and Pop won that series for putting together that team and then Pop piecing together how to wreck the Heat's aggressive trapping defense. Spurs would have won with or without Nephew.

[daslicer]

Most stupid comment by casual fans: Spurs fans should be grateful. He's the reason they won #5.

A lot of them think Kawhi was the best player on the 2014 team.

[timtonymanu]

A lot of them think Kawhi was the best player on the 2014 team.

Exactly my point. Kinda what Mr. Body said also. The front office put together a solid team at the right time and Nephew just happened to be part of that process. Casual fans said we were wrong for booing Kawhi and should have been grateful for bringing us #5. BS.

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

Nice to see Nephew getting exposed for who he really is...

[daslicer]

Exactly my point. Kinda what Mr. Body said also. The front office put together a solid team at the right time and Nephew just happened to be part of that process. Casual fans said we were wrong for booing Kawhi and should have been grateful for bringing us #5. BS.

Agreed. That grateful crap is for desperate fans of organizations that have never won more than one title which includes the Cavs and Raptor fans. A lot of these idiots forget the Spurs had won 4 prior to Kawhi and even with the 5th one he was not the Alpha on the team.

[gilmor]

Doesnt have the heart and class to be a true champion.. unlike Duncan, Manu and Tony

[gospursgojas]

I could see him bailing to Phoenix, Miami, or Orlando after next year if it implodes on them again. Cause it'll have to be a warm spot cause he's a fucking diva. I'd even say Houston but I know he's not wanting to be in Texas that much.

Also, lol at the notion from that article that they're going to stop doing iso-ball with neph. Like you thought neph was king of load management before having to play at pace in a compressed schedule. Fuck that guy.

San Diego is the autist’s comfort blanky, thumb sucky, chew on tongue, scratch his head thing he does. He won’t go far.

[Dancelot]

Yeah I doubt he leaves California. Probably ends up on the Lakers if anything

[Ocotillo]

San Diego is the autist’s comfort blanky, thumb sucky, chew on tongue, scratch his head thing he does. He won’t go far. Maybe Balmer moves the Clips back to San Diego. :drunk

[buttsR4rebounding]

Maybe Balmer moves the Clips back to San Diego. :drunk

Maybe they could play a few games in his old high school gym.

[John B]

Kawhi Gump running out of luck..

[Prime BEEF]

Maybe Balmer moves the Clips back to San Diego. :drunk
Always thought they should move back to San Diego. They could have their own identity instead of being the other team in LA. They also need to incorporate a ship into their logo somehow. They are the clippers which is a type of ship.

but I think they are trying to build a new separate arena in LA. Stupid

[Shakril]

George far more the problem then Nephew.
But Nephew and Uncle recruiting George has proven to be their undoing.

Stoopid move.

PG 13 was not their first choice, just the first one to agree.

[R. DeMurre]

I think people underestimated the effect of PG having surgery on both shoulders last off season, after an MVP level season the year before. That's a big deal. If he doesn't bounce back this year, it might be safe to say he's not a top player anymore.

[superbigtime]

Makes you realize how special the Spurs were to tolerate his weirdness. Manu was always diplomatic.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Kawhi Gump running out of luck..

Kawhi Gump! :lol

[Dex]

We all know that Nephew is a bitch...

But this article really makes Doc Rivers sound like a bitch too. Talk about not managing your team and talent...

[Prime BEEF]

We all now that Nephew is a bitch...

But this article really makes Doc Rivers sound like a bitch too. Talk about not managing your team and talent...
Yup. Lots of bitches on the clips. The heart of the team and their tough players were Trez, bev and Lou but looks like they’re trying to get rid of them all so that they can be a team of super bitches

[timtonymanu]

We all know that Nephew is a bitch...

But this article really makes Doc Rivers sound like a bitch too. Talk about not managing your team and talent...

Never was a fan of Doc. Quit on the Celtics so he can embarrass himself with the Clippers. Been overrated as hell just based on that 08 title alone that the Celtics 3 and Thibs got for him. I enjoyed seeing him fail all those years with the Clips

[timtonymanu]

It says a lot when the Lakers are the more likeable team in LA :lol.

Honestly surprised Paul George is just as toxic as Kawhi but he does act like a bitch when the going gets tough aka Pandemic P.

[TD 21]

Never was a fan of Doc. Quit on the Celtics so he can embarrass himself with the Clippers. Been overrated as hell just based on that 08 title alone that the Celtics 3 and Thibs got for him. I enjoyed seeing him fail all those years with the Clips

:lmao How is Rivers overrated when he's been constantly criticized for the past half decade? Overrated is that unethical, flavor of the month Nurse.

[Coach X]

So... maybe building a championship team is something else than just signing talented players?
:wakeup

[DMC]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PerkyDescriptiveBobwhite-size_restricted.gif

Kawhi pregame routine

[RC_Drunkford]

where is this faggot duncan2k5? He has to come for nephew's defence since he been hanging on to his nuts since day 1

[tonight...you]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/PerkyDescriptiveBobwhite-size_restricted.gif

Kawhi pregame routine
Lord... I remember watching that and thinking he needs an animal handler.

[offset formation]

where is this faggot duncan2k5? He has to come for nephew's defence since he been hanging on to his nuts since day 1

There was another one too, can't remember his screen name atm

[FireMicoHalili]

There was another one too, can't remember his screen name atm
that little embarrassment called Kawhitstorm? lol

[Seventyniner]

that little embarrassment called Kawhitstorm? lol

Yup. Make sure to pronounce it Quitstorm and you will be just fine.

[offset formation]

that little embarrassment called Kawhitstorm? lol

No. That guy is a Grade A jerk most of the time. There was another dude that was actually otherwise cool, but for his oozing neph love. Well spoken. Decent guy. Sometimes had very lengthy posts.

[Ice009]

PG 13 was not their first choice, just the first one to agree.

Who was their first choices? Any idea? I thought I read they were going after Bradley Beal. I think he would have been much better.

[lefty]

okay I give up. I tried 3 times to post this dam tweet and it never shows up. WTF is going on
Most forums have had automatic tweet/any media embedding for years

Spurstalk is stuck in Slow-venia :lol

[Dejounte]

No. That guy is a Grade A jerk most of the time. There was another dude that was actually otherwise cool, but for his oozing neph love. Well spoken. Decent guy. Sometimes had very lengthy posts.

YGWHI?

[lefty]

Nah. The FO and Pop won that series for putting together that team and then Pop piecing together how to wreck the Heat's aggressive trapping defense. Spurs would have won with or without Nephew.
Not defending Nephew but who was going to make LeBron work on both ends of the court?

[Gibbz]

Never was a fan of Doc. Quit on the Celtics so he can embarrass himself with the Clippers. Been overrated as hell just based on that 08 title alone that the Celtics 3 and Thibs got for him. I enjoyed seeing him fail all those years with the Clips

The fact that he didn't even get to a WCF with prime Lob City speaks volumes.

[exstatic]

The fact that he didn't even get to a WCF with prime Lob City speaks volumes.

2015.

[offset formation]

Thats the guy, Dejounte. Thanks for the memory boost.

[Seventyniner]

2015.

No, the Clippers lost to the Rockets in 7 in the second round that year, ironically also after having a 3-1 lead.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2015-nba-western-conference-semifinals-clippers-vs-rockets.html

There was a great tweet somewhere about how big of a collapse the Clippers had this year; they have never made the conference finals in their history iirc.

[Maddog]

No, the Clippers lost to the Rockets in 7 in the second round that year, ironically also after having a 3-1 lead.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2015-nba-western-conference-semifinals-clippers-vs-rockets.html

There was a great tweet somewhere about how big of a collapse the Clippers had this year; they have never made the conference finals in their history iirc.
Correct 51 years 3 cities no conference finals

[timtonymanu]

The fact that he didn't even get to a WCF with prime Lob City speaks volumes.

Which is why I find him overrated. Sure, he may be criticized a lot but team still hire him and give him the reputation like he belongs in the top tier of coaches. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes the 76ers to one win away from the Conference finals only to lose the series in 7 games again.

[exstatic]

No, the Clippers lost to the Rockets in 7 in the second round that year, ironically also after having a 3-1 lead.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2015-nba-western-conference-semifinals-clippers-vs-rockets.html

There was a great tweet somewhere about how big of a collapse the Clippers had this year; they have never made the conference finals in their history iirc.

You are correct. I had a bad link.

[exstatic]

Which is why I find him overrated. Sure, he may be criticized a lot but team still hire him and give him the reputation like he belongs in the top tier of coaches. I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes the 76ers to one win away from the Conference finals only to lose the series in 7 games again.

It’s hard to argue with this, when he has the most game 7 playoff series losses by an nba coach (8), coupled with the most 3-1 collapses (3).

[dbreiden83080]

Is anybody seriously still mad this asshole is Gone? I’m sorry I’m not going from Tim Duncan being our leader for basically 20 years to this fucking piece of shit.

[dbreiden83080]

After all of that time off against Denver he looked old and slow to me. Not athletic. Virtually no lift on his jumpshot. I think he’s already past his prime. Defensively he is for sure. He barely plays defense anymore.

[daslicer]

Is anybody seriously still mad this asshole is Gone? I’m sorry I’m not going from Tim Duncan being our leader for basically 20 years to this fucking piece of shit.

I'm over him leaving. Him getting embarrassed by the Nuggets was very therapeutic for me. It was good to see this POS finally be branded as a loser after having the media back him for 3 years.

[MultiTroll]

After all of that time off against Denver he looked old and slow to me. Not athletic. Virtually no lift on his jumpshot. I think he’s already past his prime. Defensively he is for sure. He barely plays defense anymore.
His peak was the season and playoffs of Zaza.

Even in the Toronto year he had no where near the lift and blast of 2017.

Will be interesting to see the rate he declines this year. Or if he scores some Kobme type procedure or LeBron roids. Pretty sure he's already looked into those.

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

Is anybody seriously still mad this asshole is Gone? I’m sorry I’m not going from Tim Duncan being our leader for basically 20 years to this fucking piece of shit.

Same, except I've given him the ex treatment in that I won't watch him at all for anything...out of sight out of mind...

[koriwhat]

Same, except I've given him the ex treatment in that I won't watch him at all for anything...out of sight out of mind...

Ditto! Kawhi can stink up LA all he wants but he will never get love from die hard Spurs fans but instead the fair weather fans who have no integrity.

[daslicer]

Ditto! Kawhi can stink up LA all he wants but he will never get love from die hard Spurs fans but instead the fair weather fans who have no integrity.

He won't even get love from their fair weather fans since LA is a Laker town. It will always be a Laker town so even if he wins down there he won't be loved.

[koriwhat]

He won't even get love from their fair weather fans since LA is a Laker town. It will always be a Laker town so even if he wins down there he won't be loved.

And rightfully so! :tu

[offset formation]

He won't even get love from their fair weather fans since LA is a Laker town. It will always be a Laker town so even if he wins down there he won't be loved.

Sadly, he'll always be revered in the land of the frozen tundra.

[daslicer]

Sadly, he'll always be revered in the land of the frozen tundra.

It's the land of the cucks so not surprising. I'm sure one day they will build a statue for him and retire his jersey.

[Kawhitstorm]

Always thought they should move back to San Diego. They could have their own identity instead of being the other team in LA. They also need to incorporate a ship into their logo somehow. They are the clippers which is a type of ship.

but I think they are trying to build a new separate arena in LA. Stupid

You are aware that Clippers have better attendance than the Sperms & that has been true since the “Lob City” era? San Diego is filled with a bunch of vets who have no affiliation with the local pro sports teams, Seattle on the other hand is a different story.

[Kawhitstorm]

Exactly my point. Kinda what Mr. Body said also. The front office put together a solid team at the right time and Nephew just happened to be part of that process. Casual fans said we were wrong for booing Kawhi and should have been grateful for bringing us #5. BS.

Please remind me who led the team in win-shares for the DURATION of the ‘13-‘14 season: https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2014.html

Also, please refresh my memory as to what happened to the 23 point lead & the “solid team” once he got Zaza’d? #salty

[dbreiden83080]

It’s not even about his attitude at this stage of his career. He’s not the same player. Offensively sure he will still put up 26 or 27 points. But his defense is a shell of what it was.. He’s also not the same athlete. He’s fading fast. Plus he is still going to take a shit load of games off next season.

[timtonymanu]

Please remind me who led the team in win-shares for the DURATION of the ‘13-‘14 season: https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2014.html

Also, please refresh my memory as to what happened to the 23 point lead & the “solid team” once he got Zaza’d? #salty

But he didn't singlehandedly win 2014 for us, it was a collective team effort. We're not gonna slurp a cancerous player after he leaves because he helped win 1 title for an already accomplished franchise.

As to your second point, I'm strictly talking about 2014, the last time the team rang.

Anyway keep sucking that Kawhi dick like your his best friend Castleberry. Piece of shits supporting other piece of shits.

[XDT76]

Please remind me who led the team in win-shares for the DURATION of the ‘13-‘14 season: https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2014.html

Also, please refresh my memory as to what happened to the 23 point lead & the “solid team” once he got Zaza’d? #salty

Well he also lost 1 championship for us by missing a clutch free throw in 13. If Pop, Manu and Parker are being constantly called out in this forum, what makes Kawhi so special consider he achieved so much lesser than them for the Spurs.

I do not hated him but find it amusing that people get called out for pointing out Kawhi's unprofessionalism and weakness.

[venitian navigator]

Well he also lost 1 championship for us by missing a clutch free throw in 13. If Pop, Manu and Parker are being constantly called out in this forum, what makes Kawhi so special consider he achieved so much lesser than them for the Spurs.

I do not hated him but find it amusing that people get called out for pointing out Kawhi's unprofessionalism and weakness.

This!!! I loved Kawhi when he played for us and looked as like he was our future, helping winning a title and taking the torch from Timmy being the silent leader of the team leading by example.
I hated and still hate him for behaving in the worst possible way, showing the wrongest example and behavior a player could ever show (at the point of descouraging all other franchises to even think to offer something valuable for him as a trading asset) against the franchise that greatly helped him to gain confidence in himself and developing his game (just think about his shooting before and after the draft) at an all star level. The same franchise that decided to choose him believing in him while most other franchises (14 of them) were simply considering him not good enough to be an even late lottery pick...
He could have had some little reason to behave in such horrible (and imho criminal, because I'm still convinced that all he's done, probably under suggestion of his uncle, can legitimately being considered a sport's fraud ) way, but the reasons to be loyal and kind with the team and organization were absolutely more and more important than the possibility (that we all don't know, maybe except timvp) of some isolate episode...

[BatManu20]

Kawhi gonna Kawhi. Best part is the Clips mortgaged their future by forfeiting all their draft picks for these 2 drama queens. You love to see it.

[Kawhitstorm]

Well he also lost 1 championship for us by missing a clutch free throw in 13. If Pop, Manu and Parker are being constantly called out in this forum, what makes Kawhi so special consider he achieved so much lesser than them for the Spurs.

I do not hated him but find it amusing that people get called out for pointing out Kawhi's unprofessionalism and weakness.

Sperms literally were in the Dick Jefferson “dark ages” before their savior arrived & went to 3 straight WCF. If it wasn’t for Kawhi, there wouldn’t have been a ‘13 Finals appearances & he was a 60% FT shooter so quit harping on him going 1-for-2.

Manure meanwhile committed 8 turnovers & split FTs before Kawhi despite being an over 80% shooter for his career......he also fouled Dirk.

[Kawhitstorm]

But he didn't singlehandedly win 2014 for us, it was a collective team effort. We're not gonna slurp a cancerous player after he leaves because he helped win 1 title for an already accomplished franchise.

As to your second point, I'm strictly talking about 2014, the last time the team rang.

Anyway keep sucking that Kawhi dick like your his best friend Castleberry. Piece of shits supporting other piece of shits.

Keep slurping Poop who has won ZERO series sans Kiwi just like he didn’t win shyt with Tim/Tony/Manure a season before the messiah arrived in town.

[Prime BEEF]

You are aware that Clippers have better attendance than the Sperms & that has been true since the “Lob City” era? San Diego is filled with a bunch of vets who have no affiliation with the local pro sports teams, Seattle on the other hand is a different story.
San Diego is a much better city then LA. It’s really not close at all. I’m ok if the clippers want to continue being that other team in LA.

[XDT76]

Sperms literally were in the Dick Jefferson “dark ages” before their savior arrived & went to 3 straight WCF. If it wasn’t for Kawhi, there wouldn’t have been a ‘13 Finals appearances & he was a 60% FT shooter so quit harping on him going 1-for-2.

Manure meanwhile committed 8 turnovers & split FTs before Kawhi despite being an over 80% shooter for his career......he also fouled Dirk.

If Kawhi is to be credited for the Spurs championship like a saviour than he has to take responsibility for the lost of championship. There is no two way about it. There's lots of parties that are responsible for the 2013 lost but similarly there are also lots of people responsible for the 2014 win. Diaw, Green, Mills and Neal joined or start playing significant mins around the same period that Kawhi join the Spurs and play their parts in the turnaround of the team.

Also based on your reasoning that without Kawhi the Spurs is nothing then maybe Green is the player that is really better. Cos Kawhi has never win a championship without Green but Green won one without Kawhi.

I am thankful to Kawhi for his contribution to the Spurs fifth championship. However regardless of what he did, it does not justify his unprofessionalism.

[timtonymanu]

Keep slurping Poop who has won ZERO series sans Kiwi just like he didn’t win shyt with Tim/Tony/Manure a season before the messiah arrived in town.

Been slurping for years, buddy. Better than some piece of shit autist with zero social skills.

[TD 21]

Getting Duncan as healthy as he was going to get and nailing/lucking into re-building the perfect supporting cast on the fly to compliment the biggest three for where they were at, were the primary reasons for them regaining contender status.

Souped up Bowen was just a cog in the machine, not the savior the agenda driven, revisionist history types or trolls want to pretend he was.

[Kawhitstorm]

If Kawhi is to be credited for the Spurs championship like a saviour than he has to take responsibility for the lost of championship. There is no two way about it. There's lots of parties that are responsible for the 2013 lost but similarly there are also lots of people responsible for the 2014 win. Diaw, Green, Mills and Neal joined or start playing significant mins around the same period that Kawhi join the Spurs and play their parts in the turnaround of the team.

Also based on your reasoning that without Kawhi the Spurs is nothing then maybe Green is the player that is really better. Cos Kawhi has never win a championship without Green but Green won one without Kawhi.

I am thankful to Kawhi for his contribution to the Spurs fifth championship. However regardless of what he did, it does not justify his unprofessionalism.

Yeah, Danny came close to leading the team in win-shares & wasn’t complete ass in the postseason with the Raptors/L*kers. Nobody said Kawhi carried the ‘14 Sperms (quit making up narrative) but simply that he was a deserving FMVP. Folks make it seem like that was a flash in a pan when he literally led the team in win-share for the duration of the season.

[Kawhitstorm]

Getting Duncan as healthy as he was going to get and nailing/lucking into re-building the perfect supporting cast on the fly to compliment the biggest three for where they were at, were the primary reasons for them regaining contender status.

Souped up Bowen was just a cog in the machine, not the savior the agenda driven, revisionist history types or trolls want to pretend he was.

Yeah, he was a “cog-in-a-machine” in ‘14 & a deserving FMVP. Those two things are mutually exclusive but keep on with your “souped up Bowen” narrative til the cows come home :dramaquee

[tonight...you]

Yeah, he was a “cog-in-a-machine” in ‘14 & a deserving FMVP. Those two things are mutually exclusive but keep on with your “souped up Bowen” narrative til the cows come home :dramaquee
It works.

[TD 21]

Yeah, he was a “cog-in-a-machine” in ‘14 & a deserving FMVP. Those two things are mutually exclusive but keep on with your “souped up Bowen” narrative til the cows come home :dramaquee

To put the metrics in context, what they indicate is he arguably played his role better than anyone else did theirs. But he was a role player, which inherently meant he wasn't tasked with the most difficult job, creating offense and being the focus of opposing defenses.

That's why a role player should never win it, it was a slap in the face of the biggest 3 that he did and the league should have done what they long should have and changed it to playoffs MVP.

The narrative midway through the '13 Finals about Green being the leading candidate was asinine as well.

[weeks]

Been slurping for years, buddy. Better than some piece of shit autist with zero social skills.

could you imagine slurping a cancerous pos like kawhi for free??
they do this free of charge or even acknowledgement.

[Dejounte]

could you imagine slurping a cancerous pos like kawhi for free??
they do this free of charge or even acknowledgement.

What is weird is they only pop out during VERY convenient times. Whose alts are these? Or do they actually monitor this forum 24/7 for any criticism made against their lord and savior Kawhi? These bitches sniff out any topic where Kawhi is mentioned? Do they have an alarm that goes off? The fuck?

[Dex]

What is weird is they only pop out during VERY convenient times. Whose alts are these? Or do they actually monitor this forum 24/7 for any criticism made against their lord and savior Kawhi? These bitches sniff out any topic where Kawhi is mentioned? Do they have an alarm that goes off? The fuck?

Welcome to SpursTalk. Some people have way too much time on their hands.

I'm convinced there are still a bunch of old bitter Suns and Mavs fans lurking and trying to troll any Spurs fans who will give them attention now that we have finally hit some adversity.

[Seventyniner]

Welcome to SpursTalk. Some people have way too much time on their hands.

I'm convinced there are still a bunch of old bitter Suns and Mavs fans lurking and trying to troll any Spurs fans who will give them attention now that we have finally hit some adversity.

Yup. The Laker fans who stuck around during their long drought have earned their bragging rights. Suns and Mavs fans, though? Come on.

[Kawhitstorm]

To put the metrics in context, what they indicate is he arguably played his role better than anyone else did theirs. But he was a role player, which inherently meant he wasn't tasked with the most difficult job, creating offense and being the focus of opposing defenses.


That's why a role player should never win it, it was a slap in the face of the biggest 3 that he did and the league should have done what they long should have and changed it to playoffs MVP.

The narrative midway through the '13 Finals about Green being the leading candidate was asinine as well.

You are arguing about an award that doesn’t exist (“Playoff MVP”), Kawhi was the best player in 3 of the 4 Finals games which warranted him winning FMVP. He defended LeBron & led the team in scoring/rebounding/blocks while creating shots within a motion offense rather than being spoon fed like Danny/Iggy.

It’s not like Tim was getting doubled nor Porker/Manu breaking down the offense repeatedly that they deserved it over him. The team had a net rating of +35 with him on the floor (despite him being matched up with LeBron outside of garbage time) which is higher than the “big 3” combined.:blah

[KobesAchilles]

[LIST=1]


You are arguing about an award that doesn’t exist (“Playoff MVP”), Kawhi was the best player in 3 of the 4 Finals games which warranted him winning FMVP. He defended LeBron & led the team in scoring/rebounding/blocks while creating shots within a motion offense rather than being spoon fed like Danny/Iggy.

It’s not like Tim was getting doubled nor Porker/Manu breaking down the offense repeatedly that they deserved it over him. The team had a net rating of +35 with him on the floor (despite him being matched up with LeBron outside of garbage time) which is higher than the “big 3” combined.:blah
Kawhi definitely deserves that Finals MVP. No doubt he played great for those 3 games. But I hate when they use that award to say that he led the Spurs to a title which just totally isn’t true. In fact, I remember Kawhi sucking in round 1, meh in round 2, and besides that epic amazing strip block of Westbrook, feeling he underperformed in the WCF. Thanks fully we had the GOAT to hit the game winner and send us to the finals.

In 2015, when everyone said (Pop included) that it was Kawhi’s team I remember thinking it’s going to take a while for that transition to happen. And then it did in 2017 and it was awesome... until Zaza. Cost us a ring

[TD 21]

[LIST=1]


You are arguing about an award that doesn’t exist (“Playoff MVP”), Kawhi was the best player in 3 of the 4 Finals games which warranted him winning FMVP. He defended LeBron & led the team in scoring/rebounding/blocks while creating shots within a motion offense rather than being spoon fed like Danny/Iggy.

It’s not like Tim was getting doubled nor Porker/Manu breaking down the offense repeatedly that they deserved it over him. The team had a net rating of +35 with him on the floor (despite him being matched up with LeBron outside of garbage time) which is higher than the “big 3” combined.:blah

I'm saying the '14 Finals should have been the last straw for the league on that front.

It got lost in the massacre, but James eviscerated him in that series and who cares about small sample size counting stats, in an egalitarian offense no less.

Parker and Ginobili were breaking down the defense by destroying the Heat's blitzing p-n-r defense, with Duncan, Splitter, Diaw picking them apart on the short roll in 4-on-3's and the spot up shooters (like Scumbag) being the beneficiaries of it.

[Kawhitstorm]

I'm saying the '14 Finals should have been the last straw for the league on that front.

It got lost in the massacre, but James eviscerated him in that series and who cares about small sample size counting stats, in an egalitarian offense no less.

Parker and Ginobili were breaking down the defense by destroying the Heat's blitzing p-n-r defense, with Duncan, Splitter, Diaw picking them apart on the short roll in 4-on-3's and the spot up shooters (like Scumbag) being the beneficiaries of it.

The hate is blinding you, Kawhi was finishing at the basket off the dribble more so than shooting spot ups which is what unlocked him in game 3-5.

Aside from a couple of scoring barges here-&-there on unsustainable shooting (a handful in Timothy’s face off switches) LeBrat was more effective in garbage time than he was in the meat of the game despite being guarded with minimal help as they were staying home on the shooters which is why they switched the Bosh PnP that resulted w/ Tim checking LeBrat. Otherwise, he was literally driving for layups when the Heat were down 20 & completely outplayed by Kawhi in Gm 3 which is what swung that series.

As far as Porker, he was so effective pounding the rock (playing into the Heatle’s strength) that the team was a neutral with him on the floor meanwhile Patty was putting the nail in the coffin with his quick decision making ala Kiwi.

[TD 21]

The hate is blinding you, Kawhi was finishing at the basket off the dribble more so than shooting spot ups which is what unlocked him in game 3-5.

Aside from a couple of scoring barges here-&-there on unsustainable shooting (a handful in Timothy’s face off switches) LeBrat was more effective in garbage time than he was in the meat of the game despite being guarded with minimal help as they were staying home on the shooters which is why they switched the Bosh PnP that resulted w/ Tim checking LeBrat. Otherwise, he was literally driving for layups when the Heat were down 20 & completely outplayed by Kawhi in Gm 3 which is what swung that series.

As far as Porker, he was so effective pounding the rock (playing into the Heatle’s strength) that the team was a neutral with him on the floor meanwhile Patty was putting the nail in the coffin with his quick decision making ala Kiwi.

No, the truth is like shades to my eyes, allowing me to see clearly. He was mostly driving closeouts or feasting in transition/secondary break, which again were created off of others breaking down the defense. When games 3-5 turned into blowouts, there were a few Anthony esque jab step jumpers. Congratulations!

You can attempt to parse it however you want, James still destroyed your boy.

I wasn't speaking to his effectiveness, just his role.

[Kawhitstorm]

No, the truth is like shades to my eyes, allowing me to see clearly. He was mostly driving closeouts or feasting in transition/secondary break, which again were created off of others breaking down the defense. When games 3-5 turned into blowouts, there were a few Anthony esque jab step jumpers. Congratulations!

You can attempt to parse it however you want, James still destroyed your boy.

I wasn't speaking to his effectiveness, just his role.

You can parse it all you want but LeBrat had more turnovers than buckets in Gm 3 after stating “we like our chances going home” following Gm 2 & Kiwi will forever be FMVP so you can cry till the cows come home :blah

One second he’s “souped up Bowen” next second he was just feasting on spots like Danny, next second but...but...but...he was driving b/c he can actually shoot, dribble & finish with contact. (LeBrat constantly begging for screens to attack Timothy:wow)


https://youtu.be/XbeBO6KqzBQ

[TD 21]

You can parse it all you want but LeBrat had more turnovers than buckets in Gm 3 after stating “we like our chances going home” following Gm 2 & Kiwi will forever be FMVP so you can cry till the cows come home :blah

One second he’s “souped up Bowen” next second he was just feasting on spots like Danny, next second but...but...but...he was driving b/c he can actually shoot, dribble & finish with contact. (LeBrat constantly begging for screens to attack Timothy:wow)


https://youtu.be/XbeBO6KqzBQ

James averaged 28 on a 68 true shooting %, in his 4th straight Finals, while carrying an immense mpg/usage workload. :wakeup

Bowen, Green and that version of Scumbag all played the same role, genius.

[Kawhitstorm]

James averaged 28 on a 68 true shooting %, in his 4th straight Finals, while carrying an immense mpg/usage workload.

I have one question, do you have any more excuses Roy?

Now to analyze LeBron's 2014 Finals in full context. LeBron was only productive for the first 2 games of the series. In the final 3 games, LeBron didn't show up on offense or defense, and was completely outplayed by 13 ppg Kawhi Leonard across the board. The majority of LeBron's stats over the last 3 games were padded in blowout situations (being down 15+). LeBron by no means was "carrying" his team in these Finals. The majority of LeBron's stats over the last 3 games were padded in blowout situations (being down 15+). And he got outplayed by Kawhi Leonard over the last 3 games

Games 3-4-5
Lebron scored 51 of his 81 points (63%) being down 15+
Leonard scored 27 of his 71 points (38%) being up 15+
Leonard outscored Lebron 44-30 in non-blowout situations

Leonard 23.7 ppg on 69%
LeBron 27.0 ppg on 55%
(Leonard 14% more efficient)


And again, Lebron stats were heavily padded in garbage time, in non blowout situations Leonard outscored him

Leonard 9.3 rpg
LeBron 7.7 rpg

Leonard 2.0 spg
LeBron 1.7 spg

Leonard 2.0 bpg
LeBron 0.7 bpg

Leonard 2.3 apg with 1.7 TOpg
LeBron 4.7 apg with 3.7 TOpg
Leonard had a slightly better ast:TO ratio

Through games 3-4-5, Leonard scored much more efficiently (and more in non blowout situations) and outrebounded, outstole, and outblocked Lebron with a better ast:TO ratio

Game 3
Lebron had 14 points and 0 TO in first quarter, then 8 points and 7 TOs for the last 3 quarters. LeBron had 22-5-7-5 with 7 TOs on 64%, Wade had 22-4-2-2 with 5 TOs on 67%. But over the last 3 quarters, LeBron had 8 points and 7 TOs to Wade's 20 points and 3 TOs. The Heat cut the lead from 15 to 9 without LeBron, after Wade subbed in for him, from the 5:00 to 1:00 mark of the 3rd quarter, but even with that help LeBron still lost.

Game 4
Lebron had 9 points in first half and the Heat were blown out by 19 at halftime. He padded his stats from there, and did not score on Leonard in the first half.

Game 5
Lebron had 1 FG in 2nd quarter (2:30 mark) to bring the Heat within 5. Then he did not score again until the Heat were down 21 with 4:40 in the 3rd. He shot 1-6 against Leonard in this game according to ESPN "MVP Leonard Does it All," and according to that same article Leonard shot 65% on LeBron's overrated defense - https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/91529/mvp-leonard-does-it-all



Bowen, Green and that version of Scumbag all played the same role, genius.


Klay Thompson & JR Smith played the same role, dumbass.

[tonight...you]

Funny that guys take this so personal still.
Whatevs. Dude's gone and it's been years since.

[Kawhitstorm]

Kawhi definitely deserves that Finals MVP. No doubt he played great for those 3 games. But I hate when they use that award to say that he led the Spurs to a title which just totally isn’t true. In fact, I remember Kawhi sucking in round 1, meh in round 2, and besides that epic amazing strip block of Westbrook, feeling he underperformed in the WCF. Thanks fully we had the GOAT to hit the game winner and send us to the finals.

Rd 1 was a weird series where the Mavs kept switching & Porker dribbling the air out of the ball. Kawhi would try to post-up Monta Ellis which always ended up in a double-team & he didn't really have a wing to guard that series.

R2: Not sure what you watched to call it "meh" but he absolutely terrorized the Blazers that the team had a net-rating of +45 w/ him on the floor: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2014-nba-western-conference-semifinals-trail-blazers-vs-spurs.html#SASadvanced::18

You can see flashes of the Gm 3-5 Finals during the closeout (aka the "Sugar K" game) after Porker left the game early:


https://youtu.be/vJW2ALD48VA

WCF: That series basically became a best of 3 after they blew out each other the first 4 games & the adjustment for Gm 5 was putting Kiwi on Westbrook who had obliterated Danny in OKC: https://oklahoman.com/article/4869405/okc-thunder-notebook-kawhi-leonard-tasked-with-russell-westbrook-assignment


One of Gregg Popovich’s adjustments for Game 5 was shifting his best defender, Kawhi Leonard, onto Russell Westbrook and assigning Danny Green to Kevin Durant. The Spurs stayed with those matchups the majority of the first three quarters.
Then in Gm 6, Kawhi was the one that set the tone by coming out aggressive right from tipoff & then making the biggest defensive play in franchise history:


https://youtu.be/UOciqm1QApA

Let's not forget he also had MVP Durant fumbling the ball when OKC had a chance to win the game in regulation then held him scoreless in OT after he switched on him during crunch time:

https://i.makeagif.com/media/4-14-2016/5IP4_l.gif

[Kawhitstorm]

Funny that guys take this so personal still.
Whatevs. Dude's gone and it's been years since.

#rentfree
https://i.gifer.com/7HXB.gif

[KobesAchilles]

Rd 1 was a weird series where the Mavs kept switching & Porker dribbling the air out of the ball. Kawhi would try to post-up Monta Ellis which always ended up in a double-team & he didn't really have a wing to guard that series.

R2: Not sure what you watched to call it "meh" but he absolutely terrorized the Blazers that the team had a net-rating of +45 w/ him on the floor: https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2014-nba-western-conference-semifinals-trail-blazers-vs-spurs.html#SASadvanced::18

You can see flashes of the Gm 3-5 Finals during the closeout (aka the "Sugar K" game) after Porker left the game early:


https://youtu.be/vJW2ALD48VA

WCF: That series basically became a best of 3 after they blew out each other the first 4 games & the adjustment for Gm 5 was putting Kiwi on Westbrook who had obliterated Danny in OKC: https://oklahoman.com/article/4869405/okc-thunder-notebook-kawhi-leonard-tasked-with-russell-westbrook-assignment


Then in Gm 6, Kawhi was the one that set the tone by coming out aggressive right from tipoff & then making the biggest defensive play in franchise history:


https://youtu.be/UOciqm1QApA

Let's not forget he also had MVP Durant fumbling the ball when OKC had a chance to win the game in regulation then held him scoreless in OT after he switched on him during crunch time:

https://i.makeagif.com/media/4-14-2016/5IP4_l.gif
Porker dribbled the air out of the ball:lol Yeah that’s why Kawhi scored 6 and 7 points in playoff games. GTFOH. At least be honest about his 1st round series. He SUCKED. And btw Parker blew the fucking doors off of the Mavs in a game 7 masterpiece.

Round 2 I will give you the nod. I was wrong and he had a impressive series.

But in the WCF he shit the bed. 4 points in a game. Leader. 10 points in another 2 games. Leader. We had to switch Danny on Durant bc Kawhi couldn’t guard him. Durant was the MVP not Westbrook. Who gives a fuck that he guarded Russ? He sucked every game except game 6, the close out game.

Also he sucked games 1 and 2 in the Finals. Had he showed up in game 2 it would’ve been a sweep. But atleast he made up for it in the next 3 games

[Kawhitstorm]

Porker dribbled the air out of the ball:lol Yeah that’s why Kawhi scored 6 and 7 points in playoff games. GTFOH. At least be honest about his 1st round series. He SUCKED. And btw Parker blew the fucking doors off of the Mavs in a game 7 masterpiece.

Round 2 I will give you the nod. I was wrong and he had a impressive series.

But in the WCF he shit the bed. 4 points in a game. Leader. 10 points in another 2 games. Leader. We had to switch Danny on Durant bc Kawhi couldn’t guard him. Durant was the MVP not Westbrook. Who gives a fuck that he guarded Russ? He sucked every game except game 6, the close out game.

Also he sucked games 1 and 2 in the Finals. Had he showed up in game 2 it would’ve been a sweep. But atleast he made up for it in the next 3 games

Big Dummy, OKC blew out the Sperms in Gm 3-4 b/c Westbrook was getting in the paint at will against Danny. Muphucka had a 40/10 in Gm 4 which led to the decision to put Kawhi on him....& it worked.

BTW, Durant consistently got outplayed by Westbrook in the postseason after Harden left including coming up small against the Grizz in ‘13 but carryon.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Kawhi will be in a wheelchair like Earl Campbell someday. That’s why it’s better to lay off the juice. But he had a nice run, and maybe that’s what’s most important at the end of the day. Candle in the wind...candle in the wind.

[tonight...you]

#rentfree
https://i.gifer.com/7HXB.gif
I know! He's constantly on your mind! Kind of sick really.

[TD 21]

I have one question, do you have any more excuses Roy?

Now to analyze LeBron's 2014 Finals in full context. LeBron was only productive for the first 2 games of the series. In the final 3 games, LeBron didn't show up on offense or defense, and was completely outplayed by 13 ppg Kawhi Leonard across the board. The majority of LeBron's stats over the last 3 games were padded in blowout situations (being down 15+). LeBron by no means was "carrying" his team in these Finals. The majority of LeBron's stats over the last 3 games were padded in blowout situations (being down 15+). And he got outplayed by Kawhi Leonard over the last 3 games

Games 3-4-5
Lebron scored 51 of his 81 points (63%) being down 15+
Leonard scored 27 of his 71 points (38%) being up 15+
Leonard outscored Lebron 44-30 in non-blowout situations

Leonard 23.7 ppg on 69%
LeBron 27.0 ppg on 55%
(Leonard 14% more efficient)


And again, Lebron stats were heavily padded in garbage time, in non blowout situations Leonard outscored him

Leonard 9.3 rpg
LeBron 7.7 rpg

Leonard 2.0 spg
LeBron 1.7 spg

Leonard 2.0 bpg
LeBron 0.7 bpg

Leonard 2.3 apg with 1.7 TOpg
LeBron 4.7 apg with 3.7 TOpg
Leonard had a slightly better ast:TO ratio

Through games 3-4-5, Leonard scored much more efficiently (and more in non blowout situations) and outrebounded, outstole, and outblocked Lebron with a better ast:TO ratio

Game 3
Lebron had 14 points and 0 TO in first quarter, then 8 points and 7 TOs for the last 3 quarters. LeBron had 22-5-7-5 with 7 TOs on 64%, Wade had 22-4-2-2 with 5 TOs on 67%. But over the last 3 quarters, LeBron had 8 points and 7 TOs to Wade's 20 points and 3 TOs. The Heat cut the lead from 15 to 9 without LeBron, after Wade subbed in for him, from the 5:00 to 1:00 mark of the 3rd quarter, but even with that help LeBron still lost.

Game 4
Lebron had 9 points in first half and the Heat were blown out by 19 at halftime. He padded his stats from there, and did not score on Leonard in the first half.

Game 5
Lebron had 1 FG in 2nd quarter (2:30 mark) to bring the Heat within 5. Then he did not score again until the Heat were down 21 with 4:40 in the 3rd. He shot 1-6 against Leonard in this game according to ESPN "MVP Leonard Does it All," and according to that same article Leonard shot 65% on LeBron's overrated defense - https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/91529/mvp-leonard-does-it-all





Klay Thompson & JR Smith played the same role, dumbass.

The king of excuses complaining about facts. :lmao

That's nice. In the end, James still had to carry an immense load in general, on a clearly inferior team that was on fumes and was the focus of every opposing staff/defense. Meanwhile, Scumbag was an afterthought who benefitted from . . . wait for it . . . pristine circumstances.

Thompson and Smith did play the same role, except we weren't talking about them, big dummy. I wasn't denigrating it, rather putting it in perspective.

[Kawhitstorm]

The king of excuses complaining about facts. :lmao

That's nice. In the end, James still had to carry an immense load in general, on a clearly inferior team that was on fumes and was the focus of every opposing staff/defense. Meanwhile, Scumbag was an afterthought who benefitted from . . . wait for it . . . pristine circumstances.

Thompson and Smith did play the same role, except we weren't talking about them, big dummy. I wasn't denigrating it, rather putting it in perspective.

“Souped up” Jr Smith vs. Jr “Soup Throwin’” Smith #perspective :wow

[ezau]

Always remember that the big three never squandered a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, Kawhi with the Clippers :lol :lol :lol

[lefty]

Always remember that the big three never squandered a 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, Kawhi with the Clippers :lol :lol :lol
Maybe not but they got backdoor swept many times :lol

[ezau]

Maybe not but they got backdoor swept many times :lol

Losing to an actual farmer (Jokic) :lol
Leaving Toronto to play with Pandemic P :lol
Nothing without Danny Green :lol
Squanders a 3-1 lead when he's supposed to be the best player in the league :lol

[Ice009]

You also gotta remember that games were played in the bubble, so there wasn't really any homecourt advantage. If the Clippers had game 7 at home in front of actual fans, I'm pretty sure they win the game and series.

[tonight...you]

You also gotta remember that games were played in the bubble, so there wasn't really any homecourt advantage. If the Clippers had game 7 at home in front of actual fans, I'm pretty sure they win the game and series.
Purely hypothetical and up to the chaos that they call Reality with certain probabilities, but I can't diametrically disagree with you on this.

[exstatic]

You also gotta remember that games were played in the bubble, so there wasn't really any homecourt advantage. If the Clippers had game 7 at home in front of actual fans, I'm pretty sure they win the game and series.
Denver didn’t get any home games, either. Maybe they never get down 3-1.

[Ice009]

All I'm saying is that Denver didn't have a disadvantage by not having to play 4 games in LA. You're right, anything could have happened in the games in Denver, but Denver also got it easier by not having to deal with the LA fans, especially in a game 7 situation which is usually high pressure.

[Kermit]

All I'm saying is that Denver didn't have a disadvantage by not having to play 4 games in LA. You're right, anything could have happened in the games in Denver, but Denver also go it easier by not having to deal with the LA fans, especially in a game 7 situation which is usually high pressure.

These are Clipper fans we’re talking about.

[exstatic]

These are Clipper fans we’re talking about.

Right? LA fans come in at the beginning of the 2nd Q, and leave by the end of the 3rd, to beat the traffic.

[KobesAchilles]

You also gotta remember that games were played in the bubble, so there wasn't really any homecourt advantage. If the Clippers had game 7 at home in front of actual fans, I'm pretty sure they win the game and series.
Yeah but the altitude in Denver makes it a far tougher place to play than Orlando. So Denver not playing at home equals out the Clips not playing at home

[RC_Drunkford]

Nephews dick is still living rent free in this faggots mouth

[timtonymanu]

Pandemic P being a playoff choker, Nephew’s 40 year old body and his tendency to underperform, Doc and the Clippers curse. I don’t think being in front of their home crowd would have made a difference. These guys were always going to melt down.

[Allan Rowe vs Wade]

timmy should have had all 5 finals mvps

fuck stats. those were all timmys teams.

[ismael-robert]

Parker earned his. Manu was robbed

[TDMVPDPOY]

Parker earned his. Manu was robbed

lol padding his stats against rookie pg boobie gibson

he tried shit in both the miami series and look what happen...

[gospursgojas]

lol padding his stats against rookie pg boobie gibson

he tried shit in both the miami series and look what happen...

Then who should have gotten it?

Using your logic-
Timmy vs Broken feet Ilglauskis
Manu vs...idk Hughs? Sasha?

[John B]

Parker earned his. Manu was robbed
I love Tony, and Manu is my all time favorite. F*ck Kawhi. Timmy was the anchor. They all couldn't have done it without Timmy.

[koriwhat]

They all couldn't have done it without Timmy.

That's definitely true. :tu

[dbreiden83080]

Parker earned his. Manu was robbed

Not robbed at all. Close vote I think it was 3-2 for TD..

That series was a war.. 2 top defenses in the league, and the games were often hard to watch.. Tim had good games, and bad.. Manu also had good games, and bad.. That was a team win if I ever saw one..

[RC_Drunkford]

:lmao getting destroyed by Jamal Murray


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7b7NQEzPFY

[Joseph Kony]

https://www.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/

didn't want to make a new thread but figured this was funny and worth posting in here

[Robz4000]

https://www.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/

didn't want to make a new thread but figured this was funny and worth posting in here

:rollin

[daslicer]

Uncle Dennis trying to take out another old man. I guess he's confident after what he did to Pop.

[Dex]

https://www.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/

didn't want to make a new thread but figured this was funny and worth posting in here

Kawhi and his shady ass crew up to their usual shadiness.

This motherfucker wants to get paid because he "influenced Kawhi" to go to one of the two teams he spent two years insisting on going to? It was always L.A. or bust for Leonard.

What a bunch of scavengers. I hope West and Ballmer drag him to court so he can waste his money on a bunch of lawyers just to get laughed out of the courtroom. Even Judge Judy would roll her eyes at this lawsuit.

[Seventyniner]

The thing is ballmer can pay that shit with his pocket change. The press is worse for him.

If I were Ballmer, I would be much more worried about investigations of tampering and such. The league might have to start cracking down on people connected to players, like Uncle Dennis, who try to cash in on their influence with a star.

[Dex]

The thing is ballmer can pay that shit with his pocket change. The press is worse for him.

You don't stay rich by giving away money.

I know he doesn't want bad press, but he also sets a dangerous precedent if he just starts handing out money to these people coming out of the woodwork.

[daslicer]

You don't stay rich by giving away money.

I know he doesn't want bad press, but he also sets a dangerous precedent if he just starts handing out money to these people coming out of the woodwork.

Billionaires spend money like crazy the difference is they always have a ton of income streams that cover their expenses. Ballmer will always have the money coming in from his Microsoft stocks and other investments. This is the same guy who decided to buy the Forum for a few hundred million dollars so he could stop Dolan's lawsuits against him from building a billion dollar arena in Inglewood. Ballmer is willing to pay off people to get what he wants.

[Dex]

Billionaires spend money like crazy the difference is they always have a ton of income streams that cover their expenses. Ballmer will always have the money coming in from his Microsoft stocks and other investments. This is the same guy who decided to buy the Forum for a few hundred million dollars so he could stop Dolan's lawsuits against him from building a billion dollar arena in Inglewood. Ballmer is willing to pay off people to get what he wants.

You may be right. It's possible they just settle out of court and he offers the guy 1 million bucks or something just to go away.

Personally, I'd want to make an example of this guy...but if he is close to Kawhi, that could get ugly real quick. And obviously poor baby Kawhi gets everything he wants.

[tonight...you]

You may be right. It's possible they just settle out of court and he offers the guy 1 million bucks or something just to go away.

Personally, I'd want to make an example of this guy...but if he is close to Kawhi, that could get ugly real quick. And obviously poor baby Kawhi gets everything he wants.
It's wild how sleazy Kawhi's personal orbit is outwardly showing themselves.
I do wonder what he's really like behind closed doors.

[daslicer]

You may be right. It's possible they just settle out of court and he offers the guy 1 million bucks or something just to go away.

Personally, I'd want to make an example of this guy...but if he is close to Kawhi, that could get ugly real quick. And obviously poor baby Kawhi gets everything he wants.

I would love to see this guy go down and the Clippers along with Kawhi get in trouble for tampering. That would be the best case scenario. Most likely Ballmer will pay this guy off if he does have legit evidence of tampering.

[Dejounte]

Clippers and tampering. What's new?

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

They're being sued lmao

[tonight...you]

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Djc-gnmOo/U5fQ934WyMI/AAAAAAAAHaA/_KJ6nAzHuds/s1600/3.gif

[exstatic]

Clippers and tampering. What's new?

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

They're being sued lmao

Did read the previous page, did you ? :lol

[Dejounte]

Did read the previous page, did you ? :lol

Did you hear? Tmz has a scoop where this guy is suing Jerry West and the Clippers. It's absurd


See the link below.
https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

[exstatic]

Did you hear? Tmz has a scoop where this guy is suing Jerry West and the Clippers. It's absurd


See the link below.
https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

The link was posted on the previous page.

[Dejounte]

The link was posted on the previous page.

Oh thanks for that.

In other news, some guy named Johnny Wilkes wants to screw over the Clips. It's crazy bro. I have the news article below

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

[Dex]

Oh thanks for that.

In other news, some guy named Johnny Wilkes wants to screw over the Clips. It's crazy bro. I have the news article below

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

Hold on, I think I missed it. Can you post it one more time?

[TimDunkem]

Hold on, I think I missed it. Can you post it one more time?
https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

[TimDunkem]

One more time in case anyone missed it:

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

[TimDunkem]

One more for the road, tbh

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

[baseline bum]

It's wild how sleazy Kawhi's personal orbit is outwardly showing themselves.
I do wonder what he's really like behind closed doors.

I mean his sister murdered a woman in her 80s for her purse in a casino, we know what Leonard's family and crew are all about.

[tonight...you]

Kawhi is the goob being run by stupid mafioso-style street thugs and he just chews his tongue and scratches his scalp.

They're brilliant, tbh. Of course you take advantage of an idiot-savant.

[Dex]

One more for the road, tbh

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/9a/9ada2d5ff2708a59336a7764b61f9cb0356f39e14064f23369 a80d34974a74c6.jpg

[offset formation]

Denver didn’t get any home games, either. Maybe they never get down 3-1.

Funny how that works both ways, ain't it?

[offset formation]

Uncle Dennis trying to take out another old man. I guess he's confident after what he did to Pop.

I feel no sorrow for West if in fact he went down the bribery path with Neph and his inner circle. It was well reported the slimeballs that they were and there ought not be any surprises. Fuck them all

[spurs10]

https://amp.tmz.com/2020/12/14/jerry-west-kawhi-leonard-los-angeles-clippers-lawsuit-2-5-million-free-agency/?__twitter_impression=true Just in case anyone missed it!

[cool cat]

I mean his sister murdered a woman in her 80s for her purse in a casino, we know what Leonard's family and crew are all about.


https://media4.giphy.com/media/5wWf7GR2nhgamhRnEuA/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952pxhd6owlg2x3yt2nra2yj7hyovj5 0mwbih99n80n&rid=giphy.gif

[Spursfanfromafar]

If this is true, it's a bigger scandal since the Logo of all people is involved. If it's proven that Uncle got a house and money on the side, this is Joe Smith scandal redux and doubled up. Clips could lose more draft picks and Kawhi's contract can be voided too!

[daslicer]

If this is true, it's a bigger scandal since the Logo of all people is involved. If it's proven that Uncle got a house and money on the side, this is Joe Smith scandal redux and doubled up. Clips could lose more draft picks and Kawhi's contract can be voided too!

Agreed if this guy has legit evidence of tampering then Kawhi's contract will gets voided. That would be an interesting situation to see because Kawhi would have to leave LA. No way could he sign with the Lakers. I predict in that situation Kawhi will go to the Knicks because that's the only other area Uncle Dennis would want him to go to. I'm hoping this happens just for comedy and the clown show that would ensue in NYC.

[Dejounte]

Article on a guy who worked for the Clippers, then worked for the Spurs. He compares the two organizations

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/status/1338922557421084672?s=19

[Seventyniner]

Article on a guy who worked for the Clippers, then worked for the Spurs. He compares the two organizations

I wish he had more to say about the Clippers, but that's just the gossipmonger in me.

At the end, the article talks about how the Texans are considering interviewing RC for their GM job. tbh I think RC would do even better in the NFL, where you can have a damn good team without a top-20 player. In the NBA you nearly always have to have top-end talent, including a top-10 player, to be a real contender.

[exstatic]

I wish he had more to say about the Clippers, but that's just the gossipmonger in me.

At the end, the article talks about how the Texans are considering interviewing RC for their GM job. tbh I think RC would do even better in the NFL, where you can have a damn good team without a top-20 player. In the NBA you nearly always have to have top-end talent, including a top-10 player, to be a real contender.

Reading comprehension fail. RC is on a COMMITTEE to hire their GM. He’s not being considered for the position. GM, in any sport, would be a step down for him.

[daslicer]

Reading comprehension fail. RC is on a COMMITTEE to hire their GM. He’s not being considered for the position. GM, in any sport, would be a step down for him.

Agreed to be a great GM you have to be an expert on the Sport. RC knows nothing about football. It would be like hiring a plumber to do an electrician's job.

[Seventyniner]

Reading comprehension fail. RC is on a COMMITTEE to hire their GM. He’s not being considered for the position. GM, in any sport, would be a step down for him.

You're right. :bobo

My larger point, though, is that I think having a strong organization is probably more important in the NFL than in the NBA because it's harder to just out-talent your opponents. If the NFL were to somehow play 82-game seasons with four 7-game series as the playoffs, I bet you would see even less parity than the NBA from year to year.

[Mugen]

I mean his sister murdered a woman in her 80s for her purse in a casino, we know what Leonard's family and crew are all about.

[BackHome]

I wonder if the league would open an investigation or at least to inquire to see if accusation has any merit. If found out to be true how would SA be compensated I assume maybe 3 first round draft picks not protected?

[Dejounte]

I wonder if the league would open an investigation or at least to inquire to see if accusation has any merit. If found out to be true how would SA be compensated I assume maybe 3 first round draft picks not protected?

Maybe force Kawhi to make a public apology to the Spurs. Make him get on his knees.

[Seventyniner]

I wonder if the league would open an investigation or at least to inquire to see if accusation has any merit. If found out to be true how would SA be compensated I assume maybe 3 first round draft picks not protected?

imo the only way the Spurs would get anything is if there was tampering in getting him traded to Toronto. I would expect any compensation in this case to go to Toronto, not SA.

[tonight...you]

I wonder if the league would open an investigation or at least to inquire to see if accusation has any merit. If found out to be true how would SA be compensated I assume maybe 3 first round draft picks not protected?
Most likely only the Clippers get punished and nobody benefits.

[RC_Drunkford]

I wonder if the league would open an investigation or at least to inquire to see if accusation has any merit. If found out to be true how would SA be compensated I assume maybe 3 first round draft picks not protected?

you mean how Toronto will be compensated. Spurs ain't getting nothing. He was playing for the Raptors when that happened

[Dingle Barry]

Always thought they should move back to San Diego. They could have their own identity instead of being the other team in LA. They also need to incorporate a ship into their logo somehow. They are the clippers which is a type of ship.

but I think they are trying to build a new separate arena in LA. Stupid

I've always thought it was really strange none of their logos have ever even hinted at anything marine. It's not like they have some dumb name like the Lakers that can't be depicted.

Same goes for the Thunder and their horrible logo and colors that convey sunshine and blue skies.

[Kawhitstorm]

:lmao getting destroyed by Jamal Murray


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7b7NQEzPFY

Murray only had TWO 50 point games in the pervious series :blah

[exstatic]

I've always thought it was really strange none of their logos have ever even hinted at anything marine. It's not like they have some dumb name like the Lakers that can't be depicted.

Same goes for the Thunder and their horrible logo and colors that convey sunshine and blue skies.

Ironically, a Laker is also a ship, one that carries cargo on the Great Lakes. Harkens back to their Minnesota roots.

[Ocotillo]

Ironically, a Laker is also a ship, one that carries cargo on the Great Lakes. Harkens back to their Minnesota roots.

Don't get me started, I always thought once New Orleans got a team again, the Jazz should have shipped the name back to the NO club and take the Hornets moniker. Utah is the bee hive state so their is some symmetry.

[RC_Drunkford]

Murray only had TWO 50 point games in the pervious series :blah

that's your excuse? :lmao :lmao

Kovid Klaw aka the best perimeter defender cause he rode Duncan's coattail. He's finished and you know it :lmao

[exstatic]

Don't get me started, I always thought once New Orleans got a team again, the Jazz should have shipped the name back to the NO club and take the Hornets moniker. Utah is the bee hive state so their is some symmetry.

There was a article after CHA originally moved to NO, but before they got their new expansion team, to do a multi team name swap. It was something like Memphis Hornets, NO Jazz, Utah Grizzlies.

[hombre]

Don't get me started, I always thought once New Orleans got a team again, the Jazz should have shipped the name back to the NO club and take the Hornets moniker. Utah is the bee hive state so their is some symmetry.

The Jazz and Saints should swap names, lol.

[Drom John]

1979-1982
https://logos-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Logo-History.jpg

And The Battle of the Hornet's Nest is a Charlotte thing.

[gospursgojas]

Kawhitter on Kimmel, his stupid hands story, Apple eating story, his “recruitment” of Serge, vid of him messing around w Zubac in timeout huddle.

Sounds like uncle hired a publicist for the mute’s contract year to maybe attract teams.

[Dejounte]

Just amazing to me how much this diva is being spoiled beyond belief by his new organization. As much of a talent he is, I'm glad the Spurs didn't give in to his diva demands. It would make it harder to root for a team that has no backbone. Good on them for changing direction and improving their process of finding players with good character.

[Dejounte]

I posted last night of Devin vs Pat, but I think the better "what could have been" comparison would be Devin vs Poku. Watching Poku his first few games, decent player but character might be the reason he wasn't chosen. I saw him a couple games screaming disrespectfully at his teammate to give him the ball. Some may say it's an alpha thing, but there's a very fine line. Devin seems easy to root for when you hear the kid speak.

Poku vs Samanic though, I think there's no question lol. Samanic has to get his shit together.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/1339706661129211904?s=19

[exstatic]

Holy Shit. If they find credible evidence, that would be amazing.

[tonight...you]

https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/1339706661129211904?s=19
T'would be so cool if it gains traction.
At least it makes things more interesting at the moment.

[tonight...you]

Ballmer has the dough and the power to quash it though.

[Dejounte]

I hope they somehow discover that their tampering began when Kawhi was a Spur because I'm pretty sure it did.

[Emperor]

So if they find credible evidence of tampering then what next? Huge fine?

[daslicer]

So if they find credible evidence of tampering then what next? Huge fine?

It will be a Joe Smith situation all over again. They would lose future draft picks and Kawhi’s contract would get voided.

[tbdog]

Yes and loss of picks.

But my issue here is tampering was obvious the year before with the Lakers. And even more so with AD. Except Pelicans got a good deal so nobody cares.

[Dejounte]

It will be a Joe Smith situation all over again. They would lose future draft picks and Kawhi’s contract would get voided.

Except Joe was a mere role player and Kawhi's one of the faces of the league. Doubt they do anything too crazy. I wish.

[tonight...you]

Yes and loss of picks.

But my issue here is tampering was obvious the year before with the Lakers. And even more so with AD. Except Pelicans got a good deal so nobody cares.
The Clippers have draft picks?

[tbdog]

Yeah, unsure how that would work out.

[RC_Drunkford]

In a few days there will be a report that they investigated and didn’t find anything. NBA won’t do shit and just sweep it under the rug

[tonight...you]

In a few days there will be a report that they investigated and didn’t find anything. NBA won’t do shit and just sweep it under the rug
And then there will be a small announcement of one of Ballmer's tax shelters giving 30 million to some LGBTQ cause.

[daslicer]

Except Joe was a mere role player and Kawhi's one of the faces of the league. Doubt they do anything too crazy. I wish.

They would have to do something. That type of story would get national attention and would be hard to ignore. From a PR perspective the league would be pressured into doing something.

[Ice009]

I'd say the NBA has announced this investigation just so that it looks like they're doing something, but they probably don't intend to do any investigation at all.

[tonight...you]

I'd say the NBA has announced this investigation just so that it looks like they're doing something, but they probably don't intend to do any investigation at all.
Like I said, this is to bilk Ballmer into funneling money into a cause and everybody happy.

[exstatic]

Except Joe was a mere role player and Kawhi's one of the faces of the league. Doubt they do anything too crazy. I wish.

Didn’t start his career that way. He was the #1 overall pick in his draft, and had an 18/8 season at age 21, and seemed well on his way to a great career. The Minnesota scam really fucked up his career.

[exstatic]

Ballmer has the dough and the power to quash it though.

Donald Sterling had a lot of money too, and got booted out on his ass. The teams are franchises, and subject to league rules. An owner who tried to buy his way out of this would soon be confronted by 29 other angry owners, not fond of cheaters.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/1339798290431238144

[gospursgojas]

Lol. Balmer and clips know all they had to do was bribe one of Kawhi’s controllers and he’d obey like the lap dog he is.

Reminds me of Undertaker and Paul Bearer..when he had the urn in hand of course.

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

Not surprising in the least...

[DeRozan m8]

1979-1982
https://logos-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Los-Angeles-Clippers-Logo-History.jpg

And The Battle of the Hornet's Nest is a Charlotte thing.

Their current logo will never not be shit

[tonight...you]

Donald Sterling had a lot of money too, and got booted out on his ass. The teams are franchises, and subject to league rules. An owner who tried to buy his way out of this would soon be confronted by 29 other angry owners, not fond of cheaters.
This will be interesting to pay attention to, but I have a feeling not much is going to happen.
Hope something does though.

[Dverde]

It would be enjoyable to see the contract voided and be stuck in small market Sacramento to stay in California.

[XDT76]

This seems be Dennis plan to get Kawhi to another team he prefer and get more agent fees.

[exstatic]

This seems be Dennis plan to get Kawhi to another team he prefer and get more agent fees.

There is no other team. It’s not about basketball. He won in TOR and walked away from that. He wants to be in LA, period. He won’t play with LeBron, so that leaves only the Clippers.

[LakerHater]

https://twitter.com/maria_mg01/status/1342719866629804038?s=19https://images2.imgbox.com/3f/70/qlLRxtOR_o.jpg

[SpurSpike]

Gotta love Serge Ibaka. Made the claw eat penis and now this! Lol

[KaiRMD1]

Gotta love Serge Ibaka. Made the claw eat penis and now this! Lol

His own teammate. Never thought I'd see the day where the ol' sport would make me smile

[Obi Juan Kenobi]

And now Ibaka ruined Kawhi's face...:lol

[Ice009]

What's the extent of the injury? Just a flesh wound/cut? Any structural damage?

[JuneJive]

Eight stitches for a cut inside his mouth.

[Chillen]

It's basketball, your sweating and working your ass off to put a ball in a netted hole. You can get injured doing it. I hope he's ok, basically got sucker punched by his own teammate. He is lucky if he still has his teeth attached. The wound will heal after the stitches, the teeth though are the bigger pain in the ass if they crack or fall out.

[widowmaker]

https://twitter.com/maria_mg01/status/1342719866629804038?s=19https://images2.imgbox.com/3f/70/qlLRxtOR_o.jpg

Good.

[RC_Drunkford]

it's a shame that he didn't break his jaw

[Dex]

https://twitter.com/maria_mg01/status/1342719866629804038?s=19https://images2.imgbox.com/3f/70/qlLRxtOR_o.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VjdaUk9.gif

[SpurPadre]

For one night only, thank you Serge for a great Christmas gift!

Load Management is probably out for 1 month given his low pain tolerance bitch ass.

[Joseph Kony]

:lmao isn't this the second time nephew caught a bow from Ibaka while they were teammates? and Ibaka made him eat elk penis once? goteem

[B1gduff]

Eh, If Kquitter nevered asked for a trade, he would never have been paired up with Ibaka and Ibaka would have never knocked his ass out. Karma

Good for Ibaka, he's getting revenge for us. Kocked him out, and also got him eating pe**S

[SpurPadre]

He won't play today, per par. Every other player who has been hit during a game and got stitches has come back the next game wearing one of those clear plastic face masks. But not this pussy. He has got to be the softest All-Star in league history.

[Chomag]

Clippers with only20 points with 3 minutes left in the half? Yikes!

But yeah if all KL needed was stitches then he should be playing I have seen players play the next game with worse, but he is a pampered pussie

[alfahdlan]

Halftime score Clips 27 Mavs 77. How the mighty have fallen. 50 pt differential.

[timtonymanu]

He won't play today, per par. Every other player who has been hit during a game and got stitches has come back the next game wearing one of those clear plastic face masks. But not this pussy. He has got to be the softest All-Star in league history.

Hell Manu returned after breaking his nose :lol

[alfahdlan]

Update: clips 57 mavs 104 end of 3qtr. Whew. Garbage 4qtr now. Clips quit. Maybe 4 the season also. The ship is sinking really fast.

[Dejounte]

Update: clips 57 mavs 104 end of 3qtr. Whew. Garbage 4qtr now. Clips quit. Maybe 4 the season also. The ship is sinking really fast.

That's wishful thinking. I hope so

[Mr. Body]

Update: clips 57 mavs 104 end of 3qtr. Whew. Garbage 4qtr now. Clips quit. Maybe 4 the season also. The ship is sinking really fast.

They'll be fine.

[tonight...you]

Burn the tape game.

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1343317062240759808?s=19

[baseline bum]

It's basketball, your sweating and working your ass off to put a ball in a netted hole. You can get injured doing it. I hope he's ok, basically got sucker punched by his own teammate. He is lucky if he still has his teeth attached. The wound will heal after the stitches, the teeth though are the bigger pain in the ass if they crack or fall out.

I hope he gets CTE

[tonight...you]

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1343317062240759808?s=19
Dude can't even put his mask over his nose. Fucking punk. Like some Alaskan that thinks everything real is bull-pucky because it hasn't happened to them personally.
But he can get his braids did all perfectomundo though!

[Seventyniner]

It's kind of funny to see K Leonard and L Kennard on the same team.

That's about as close as I will ever get to using Number Two's actual name. He's still an asshole.

[timtonymanu]

Fucker couldn't even show face for Pop when his wife died. Still was an antisocial POS. Karma.

[lefty20]

It's kind of funny to see K Leonard and L Kennard on the same team.

That's about as close as I will ever get to using Number Two's actual name. He's still an asshole.

https://media.tenor.com/images/1640a9d82680ce34b9e2917af4e3eaec/tenor.gif

[Dejounte]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SelfassuredUnsightlyBlacklemur-size_restricted.gif

Right next to the mother of his child. What an asshole

[offset formation]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SelfassuredUnsightlyBlacklemur-size_restricted.gif

Right next to the mother of his child. What an asshole

Lol. I've not heard that before. Is that her to his right?

[Dejounte]

https://twitter.com/mikecwright/status/1343332354597773312?s=19

Paul must be the biggest "all talk, no walk" douchebag since T-Mac

[Dejounte]

Lol. I've not heard that before. Is that her to his right?

To his left (right side of the .gif for us)

[offset formation]

To his left (right side of the .gif for us)

What a fucking douchebag. Maybe uncle isn't the source of his asshattery after all.

[Dejounte]

What a fucking douchebag. Maybe uncle isn't the source of his asshattery after all.

He's not a stooge. Dude is clever underneath. His head's grown so big since being drafted. His uncle probably enables him. It's why I think we draft players with good parents these days.