Per MySA, Leonard to return Saturday against Phoenix

I know we already have like 3 Leonard threads on the front page, but they are all jumbled, and this is big news:

http://m.mysanantonio.com/news/local...s-12413663.php

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The wait for Kawhi Leonard’s return may finally be coming to an end. League sources tell the Express-News Leonard could make his season debut for the Spurs on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns barring any setbacks.

According to sources, Leonard participate in a final workout session Thursday. The team will re-evaluate Leonard on Friday. If all goes well, and Leonard feels OK, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year will travel with the team to Phoenix after Friday’s game against Boston to play in the second game of a back-to-back.

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finally ! :tu

mybodyisready.gif

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpXN8BvGp_o

El Matador returns.

:danceclub

:claw

Will believe it when I see it.

An even then, I hope he stays on the court.

I’ll believe it when I see it. There’s no mention of his ass wiping abilities in the article.

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Originally Posted by NASpurs

I’ll believe it when I see it. There’s no mention of his ass wiping abilities in the article.

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The whole team probably had to do Ass Wipies during the final workout.

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Originally Posted by Dex

The whole team probably had to do Ass Wipies during the final workout.

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He might get short asswipes at timeouts, like Yao on the bike.

Surprised they'd have him make his season debut on the road tbh.

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Originally Posted by Robz4000

Surprised they'd have him make his season debut on the road tbh.

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Why does it matter? I've heardthis argument plenty but why? t, but he's not some invalid that needs special care, he's probably been cleared to travel for months. Spurs would rather be just play I think, the sooner the better

Hopefully there are no setbacks.. Could use a couple games under his belt before the Rockettes next Friday

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Originally Posted by Robz4000

Surprised they'd have him make his season debut on the road tbh.

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Next 3 games are on the road, he'd have to wait till next Saturday to return to make a home debut. Tomorrow would've been great, but w/e

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Originally Posted by K...

Why does it matter? I've heardthis argument plenty but why? t, but he's not some invalid that needs special care, he's probably been cleared to travel for months. Spurs would rather be just play I think, the sooner the better

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More for the fans' sake than anything, but also because it's good to bring a player back after a long absence in a comfortable environment. It's even more pronounced in this case since Kawhi hasn't played yet this season.

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Originally Posted by Robz4000

Surprised they'd have him make his season debut on the road tbh.

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If he's ready it doesn't make sense to make him wait just because the game won't be played at home, specially not when you have multiple road games coming. It's not like you can wait one out and that's it.

The case with Boston is different, because it does make a difference getting a player back against the best defense in the league than against one of the worst.

Phoenix is a good warm-up for a real NBA team.

We'll see if his rehab, rest has got his tendonitis cured, and that it won't flare up from the intensity of game play.

I expect he will play only a few minutes, even less than Tony's been playing.

Any flare up, and he'll be shut down for weeks.

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Phoenix is a good warm-up for a real NBA team.

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True. It's the equivalent of a major leaguer playing a AAA baseball game.

Good, bring him back against a semi-pro team.

:claw

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Phoenix is a good warm-up for a real NBA team.

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:lol they are pretty bad tbh

still doubt he plays more than a few perfunctory minutes

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Originally Posted by BillMc

Phoenix is a good warm-up for a real NBA team.

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no booker iirc, G-League game

wonder who plays in Boston

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Originally Posted by Proxy

no booker iirc, G-League game

wonder who plays in Boston

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Wouldn't be surprised to see Pop go full squad (sans Kawhi) against Boston to try get the win, then rest Parker, Manu, maybe Gay vs. Phoenix to work Kawhi back in.

Kiwi will reach ultra instinct this season to pair with mistical form Bertans

We don't need him against Boston but we do against Phoenix?

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Originally Posted by dbreiden83080

We don't need him against Boston but we do against Phoenix?

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I think it's more of a matter of easing him back in.

Also, the rotation is playing well right now, and even though Kawhi is ultra talented, he will probably only play 20 minutes and could disrupt the flow they have going right now while they work him in. Better to do that against a glorified GLeague team than one of the top squads in the NBA.

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Originally Posted by Dex

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pop go full squad (sans Kawhi) against Boston to try get the win, then rest Parker, Manu, maybe Gay vs. Phoenix to work Kawhi back in.

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I can totally see that.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/qpFg2k3Njuq2Y/giphy.gif

God forbid he suits up against the Celtics.

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Originally Posted by Dex

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pop go full squad (sans Kawhi) against Boston to try get the win, then rest Parker, Manu, maybe Gay vs. Phoenix to work Kawhi back in.

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I think the Phoenix rotation would look something like:

Murray, Forbes
Green, White
Leonard, Paul
Bertans
Gasol, Lauvergne

Pop is a pussy

I wanted to see boston

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Originally Posted by hater

Pop is a pussy

I wanted to see boston

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So he can go all out, trying to beat an "elite" team and "blow up" his tender quad in the process?
Kawhi is not a guy to tell his coach "Cut me!", he's a guy that's ready to tell them he can't reach his ass to wipe.

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Originally Posted by tonight...you

So he can go all out, trying to beat an "elite" team and "blow up" his tender quad in the process?
Kawhi is not a guy to tell his coach "Cut me!", he's a guy that's ready to tell them he can't reach his ass to wipe.

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Whos said kawhi go all out?? Just manage his minutes wheter its celtics or dleaguers

:pop: I'll be making the final call on when Kawhi is ready to come back.

Boston is a good and physical defensive team. The suns on the other hand dont play defense at all. I think bringing Kawhi back against Phoenix makes sense

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Originally Posted by hater

Whos said kawhi go all out?? Just manage his minutes wheter its celtics or dleaguers

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I'm not disagreeing with you, just touching upon how competitive Kawhi can be, when he's on the floor against a good opponent.

Minutes be damned.

https://78.media.tumblr.com/504cb94f...5pgzo1_400.gif

So long All Star LMA. It was nice seeing you play for 20 games.

Pop is sitting Kawhi on Friday because it's a nationally televised game.

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Originally Posted by DAF86

If he's ready it doesn't make sense to make him wait just because the game won't be played at home, specially not when you have multiple road games coming. It's not like you can wait one out and that's it.

The case with Boston is different, because it does make a difference getting a player back against the best defense in the league than against one of the worst.

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:tu..

Even if he is completely ready to go tomorrow, which i think he is, It is not fair to Kawhi to have him play his first competitive basketball games in 7 months against the best team in the East with two young and athletic wings in Tatum and Jaylen Brown..

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Originally Posted by UZER

So long All Star LMA. It was nice seeing you play for 20 games.

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:cry

Get over it. Kawhi is coming back!

sweet I'm going to that game :]

Leonard finally wiping his own ass :toast

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Originally Posted by Dex

:cry

Get over it. Kawhi is coming back!

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Is was a shot at look LaMarcus, not Kawhi. Calm down.

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Originally Posted by phxspurfan

sweet I'm going to that game :]

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Have fun!

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Originally Posted by phxspurfan

sweet I'm going to that game :]

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Have a good time, man. :toast

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Originally Posted by phxspurfan

sweet I'm going to that game :]

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Alright! Make a lot of noise and have a great time! :toast
:flag:

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Originally Posted by Robz4000

Surprised they'd have him make his season debut on the road tbh.

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Pop is too much of a coward to send him out there against Boston.

PHO sounds good then.

Still don't care too much. Just want him to be able to stay playing.

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Originally Posted by UZER

Is was a shot at look LaMarcus, not Kawhi. Calm down.

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Aldridge will be fine, and we need both of them if the Spurs hope to go anywhere this year. Don't see the point at taking shots at the guy who has kept us afloat all season.

Tuesday

You really have to wonder after Kawhi's state of mind at this point. He should be back physically (like he wouldn't have been doing those drills if he wasn't) so now it's mental. I doubt he's going to come back as an alpha if he's still battling demons.

Fuck Zaza. Dude needs to take a very short ride with JR Smith in the worse way.

So has it now pushed back.

And, Chinook, do you think it started with that Zaza play? You don't think he'd be in the same place right now if it wasn't for the Zaza injury? From what Kawhi said in that short interview, it sounds like it's an overuse injury, and the Spurs medical crew and doctors may not have done a great job with the rehab, or on telling him what he should be doing in the off-season to not worsen it. Do you simply think it's completely on Kawhi's side mentally?

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Originally Posted by Stabula

Leonard finally wiping his own ass :toast

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Stupid

He’ll be back against Dallas. Not PHX.

Gonna miss 27 games already not counting the coming scheduled rest/babying-- that is basically over 1/3 of basketball season lost due to a health issue that didn't require a surgical intervention..

Love Kawhi but availability is a skill and my man has been found lacking throughout his career..Just a lot of games missed for someone so young, and who who has never dealt with a serious injury so far..

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Originally Posted by spursistan

Gonna miss 27 games already not counting the coming scheduled rest/babying-- that is basically over 1/3 of basketball season lost due to a health issue that didn't require a surgical intervention..

Love Kawhi but availability is a skill and my man has been found lacking throughout his career..Just a lot of games missed for someone so young, and who who has never dealt with a serious injury so far..

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He’s on level with Anthony Davis in regards to games played per season :td

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Originally Posted by spursistan

Gonna miss 27 games already not counting the coming scheduled rest/babying-- that is basically over 1/3 of basketball season lost due to a health issue that didn't require a surgical intervention..

Love Kawhi but availability is a skill and my man has been found lacking throughout his career..Just a lot of games missed for someone so young, and who who has never dealt with a serious injury so far..

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I don't see a lie in this post at all.

He probably won't play in Houston. (Assuming he returns Tuesday) I doubt he does b2b's now, and it's either at Houston or their home game the next night vs Dallas.

Wanted him there for the Rockettes game

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

He’s on level with Anthony Davis in regards to games played per season :td

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Anthony Davis actually averages more games played per season. :lol

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Originally Posted by Amuseddaysleeper

He’s on level with Anthony Davis in regards to games played per season

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Originally Posted by TimDunkem

Anthony Davis actually averages more games played per season. :lol

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Just can't sweep this reality under the rug anymore, tbh..It is starting to stick like a sore thumb..Some shit-- or few of them-- in his body gonna act up and he will find a way to miss a somewhere in the range of 12-15 games every year even though it is not a serious injury..

Part of being a superstar is the ability to play 78-82 games with a heavy workload, and Kawhi hasn't been able to check this box so far in his career..

Kawhi has played 72 and 74 games the last 2 years respectively. He was trending upwards, and factor in a couple of those being rest, and it's no big deal really.

This quad thing seemed to really be an anomaly, and assuming he fully heals from it, no reason he shouldn't be at 74-76 games moving forward, barring any other injuries

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Originally Posted by TimDunkem

Anthony Davis actually averages more games played per season. :lol

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This is shocking :wow

The forthcoming micromanaging will be a tad annoying.

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Originally Posted by bklynspursfan

Kawhi has played 72 and 74 games the last 2 years respectively. He was trending upwards, and factor in a couple of those being rest, and it's no big deal really.

This quad thing seemed to really be an anomaly, and assuming he fully heals from it, no reason he shouldn't be at 74-76 games moving forward, barring any other injuries

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You can't assume anything at this point. For all we know, it may be chronic.

:lolThe constant bitching. Damn

The Spurs have announced Kawhi, Anderson, Parker (injury return management), Pau (rest), and Manu (rest) are all out for tonight’s game at Phoenix.

Danny Green (tightness, left groin) is questionable.

I cant imagine they playing green

Wonder if firbes starting

A fact is a fact..

AD has the injury-prone rep around the league and Kawhi doesn't because Davis mostly pick them up on-court and mid games...Kawhi will get it soon if this trend continues ..

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Originally Posted by spursistan

A fact is a fact..

AD has the injury-prone rep around the league and Kawhi doesn't because Davis mostly pick them up on-court and mid games...Kawhi will get it soon if this trend continues ..

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:wow

I guess this hasn't gotten much air because the Spurs have kept on winning games based on their depth (credit to the players, Lamarcus, and everyone who contributes) and their system, it has to be said... Pop with his management of the roster in general has to get credit too.

But I will say then, backup SF is a really important spot for this team. They must keep one of Rudy or Kyle at all costs.

This games per season stat for Kawhi and Davis is misleading because it includes Kawhi's 2011 season, which was shorter and he played in 64 of 66 games. Davis was drafted the next summer. Also, it doesn't include rest games.

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Originally Posted by BG_Spurs_Fan

This games per season stat for Kawhi and Davis is misleading because it includes Kawhi's 2011 season, which was shorter and he played in 64 of 66 games. Davis was drafted the next summer. Also, it doesn't include rest games.

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Games Missed:

Kawhi

'11-'12: 2
'12-'13: 24
'13-'14: 16
'14-'15: 18
'15-'16: 10
'16-'17: 8
'17-'18: 27

total: 105 out of 503
Percentage %: 20.87

Anthony Davis

'12-'13: 18
'13-'14: 15
'14-'15: 14
'15-'16: 21
'16-'17: 7
'17-'18: 4

total: 79 out of 436
Percentage %: 18.11

The numbers speak for the themselves. :rolleyes

Kawh is just as fragile as Davis and nobody is paying attention or wants to admit it ...

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Originally Posted by BG_Spurs_Fan

This games per season stat for Kawhi and Davis is misleading because it includes Kawhi's 2011 season, which was shorter and he played in 64 of 66 games. Davis was drafted the next summer. Also, it doesn't include rest games.

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He forgot the postseason, where Kawhi hasn’t missed games until last year (no fault on him for that). Meanwhile, Davis has played a total of four games where he statpadded his way to a sweep.

The playoffs are literally all that matters given the team is a shoe-in for a top seed, and last year was the first instance of Kawhi being sidelined. I’m sure if Davis had been a threat to GS they would have found someone to Zaza him.

On Kawhi’s games missed, the only recurring issue has been his hand which seems fine now. Pink eye and a concussion aren’t his fault. Neither was the ankle reinjury. The quad was something precautionary that didn’t heal properly last year. Curry has missed games, Durant has missed games, Kobe missed games, Shaq missed games, etc. Only superhuman Lebron doesn’t, except for when he takes midseason vacationsx

:lol today’s media

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Originally Posted by cjw

He forgot the postseason, where Kawhi hasn’t missed games until last year (no fault on him for that). Meanwhile, Davis has played a total of four games where he statpadded his way to a sweep.

The playoffs are literally all that matters given the team is a shoe-in for a top seed, and last year was the first instance of Kawhi being sidelined. I’m sure if Davis had been a threat to GS they would have found someone to Zaza him.

On Kawhi’s games missed, the only recurring issue has been his hand which seems fine now. Pink eye and a concussion aren’t his fault. Neither was the ankle reinjury. The quad was something precautionary that didn’t heal properly last year. Curry has missed games, Durant has missed games, Kobe missed games, Shaq missed games, etc. Only superhuman Lebron doesn’t, except for when he takes midseason vacationsx

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I agree about the playoff availability - this is the only thing that really matters and he's played in 87 out of 91 games.

As for LeBron, I think he has about 20 or so rest games in his career, so he misses games too.

#FakeNews

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Originally Posted by bic50

:lolThe constant bitching. Damn

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Tell them faggots. :lol

Kawhi has actually played like 90 playoff games to AD 4 fucking games. :lmao

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Originally Posted by dabom

Tell them faggots. :lol

Kawhi has actually played like 90 playoff games to AD 4 fucking games. :lmao

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You've won as many playoff games as AD