RC Buford on Kawhi: “The relationship is challenging”

[DAF86]

My question is this : do you think we should consider trading him? And secondly what kind if value would we get?

Imho, the best deal we could get for Kawhi (disregarding matching salaries) is a package that includes Tatum, Brown and Rozier and maybe a 1st round pick, and then hope that Lebron signs with us on the offseason.

[Chinook]

My question is this : do you think we should consider trading him? And secondly what kind if value would we get?

I can't answer the first question without knowing what the actual issue is or how bad it is. I do think there are scenarios where the team would be justified in trading him. But obviously, they have a real shot at a le this year if they can get healthy (and especially if they commit to trading for a better guard).

I've been thinking about value a lot recently. I do think a team like Phoenix would back up the truck for him to the same extent they were willing to do with Irving during the draft. I'm assuming anyone but Booker would be on the table, including the numerous picks the team owns and the ability to get rid of Pau's and/or Patty's contracts. I don't think Boston is likely or desirable as a trade partner.

Something like this: http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y8vs6gdh

with Phoenix' pick and one of the Miami picks being added.

[mo7888]

Imho, the best deal we could get for Kawhi (disregarding matching salaries) is a package that includes Tatum, Brown and Rozier and maybe a 1st round pick, and then hope that Lebron signs with us on the offseason.

If I were ready to move on I'd do that. I doubt ainge would give that much because the cap hit of kawhi,Hayward, horford, and kyrie would be crippling. I think they'd want to move Hayward or horford with either Tatum or brown and we'd have to include additional salary.

[Chillen]

There is no comparison to Duncan. He was the best pf of all-time and a true role model. Kawhi is Kawhi, he plays his game and wants to win. Hate to say it but Spurs better come to grips with reality, Duncan was a special kind of player that doesn't come around very often. They either build around Kawhi and let him play his game or move on. If they want a Duncan like figure for this franchise again there is none, I mean Anthony Davis is classy but there will never be another Timmy. Spurs big 3 was something special, build with Kawhi or move on but let him be who he is.

[coachmac87]

It’s hard to have a relationship with someone who’s socially awkward...You can lose count how many times since the Spurs drafted him how teammates, coaches etc all stated how he doesn’t talk/communicate...

Duncan wasn’t about the “superstar” life but he was still a normal person within the team and PATFO...he had great relationships with everyone..or “best friend”.

There’s a lot of assumptions going around but it seems like Kawhi just does his thing..really doesn’t have a friend associated with the team etc. as great a player he is he’s just coming off as a really different cat and the personality is becoming awkward...now add this injury to the equation and it seems it added fuel to the fire. An awkward relationship just got weirder and on top of that there’s a possible big pay raise that’s due in the summer???

[mo7888]

I can't answer the first question without knowing what the actual issue is or how bad it is. I do think there are scenarios where the team would be justified in trading him. But obviously, they have a real shot at a le this year if they can get healthy (and especially if they commit to trading for a better guard).

I've been thinking about value a lot recently. I do think a team like Phoenix would back up the truck for him to the same extent they were willing to do with Irving during the draft. I'm assuming anyone but Booker would be on the table, including the numerous picks the team owns and the ability to get rid of Pau's and/or Patty's contracts. I don't think Boston is likely or desirable as a trade partner.

Something like this: http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y8vs6gdh

with Phoenix' pick and one of the Miami picks being added.

That would be hard to pass up. I agree with you on the 'unknown factor with Kawhi. I've spent time looking at trade scenarios as well but, it really comes down to what the situation behind the scenes happens to be. I have to think patfo knows what is real and what isn't in that regard. I don't think there are many good trade partners for us though. Phoenix, Philly, and Boston are the only realistic partners I see and it would be tough to deal with ainge.

[Chinook]

That would be hard to pass up. I agree with you on the 'unknown factor with Kawhi. I've spent time looking at trade scenarios as well but, it really comes down to what the situation behind the scenes happens to be. I have to think patfo knows what is real and what isn't in that regard. I don't think there are many good trade partners for us though. Phoenix, Philly, and Boston are the only realistic partners I see and it would be tough to deal with ainge.

I think the key to finding trade partners is to look for desperate teams. Denver is another team that would sacrifice their first-born to pair Kawhi with their star. The Knicks would as well. Those are the teams that will give you everything and take back your junk. I've long held that if the team does trade Kawhi, it will be during the draft where they know what picks they're getting. If those teams or others like Charlotte get high enough selections, deals really open up.

[mo7888]

I think the key to finding trade partners is to look for desperate teams. Denver is another team that would sacrifice their first-born to pair Kawhi with their star. The Knicks would as well. Those are the teams that will give you everything and take back your junk. I've long held that if the team does trade Kawhi, it will be during the draft where they know what picks they're getting. If those teams or others like Charlotte get high enough selections, deals really open up.

I definitely agree about seeking out desperate teams (or the less intelligent GM..oh how I wish Isaiah Thomas or Billy King still had a job somewhere).. I'm not sure the Knicks has enough assets but, Denver is intriguing with some of their young players but I question their stash of draft picks.

[Ice009]

Spurs big 3 was something special, build with Kawhi or move on but let him be who he is.

Maybe Kawhi can take a page out of Dennis Rodman's book 'Bad as I wanna Be," but maybe Kawhi can have his own variation of it, something like be-who-I-wanna-be.

Just for laugh's, here's a quote from Dennis about the Spurs I found "Those guys in San Antonio can kiss my ass, especially (Greg) Popovich." I haven't heard anyone say that about Pop, I found it pretty funny.

Oh, and another quote from Dennis about the role players "I'll ask Chuck Person: Did you show up? Could you hit a shot in the playoffs? No, you didn't show up, and you couldn't hit a shot. So shut up." Hopefully Kawhi doesn't end up thinking similar things about the role players on this team.

By the way, I don't agree with Dennis Rodman's stance on the Spurs, he could have done much better against the Rockets. If he actually showed up and gave it 100%, guarding the perimeter, especially Horry, I would have agreed with that last quote of his.

[hater]

The team has been worse than this before. That doesn't justify their lack of execution. It also doesn't explain why guys who used to hit open shots on the regular can't hit them now. It's a 2D excuse.

Lol we were orse but we had prime Duncan and Parker

Now we have absolutely nobody

[TD 21]

So you understand you were wrong and I called you out on it, and you think I wouldn't step on yo got ass. Makes no sense, got.

Predictably took the bait, not realizing I just proved you can be had as easily as the people you troll.

[Stabula]

Since when is Jabari Young a celebrity

Celebrity gossip is gossip about celebrities and is usually pushed in tabloids and TV shows for ratings.

[dabom]

Predictably took the bait, not realizing I just proved you can be had as easily as the people you troll.

What are you talking about got. I never directed the comment at you and you recognized it after I called you out. Then you had the gall to say you were standing down because I wouldn't "step up", like I just didn't already make you look like a dumbass.

I'm smarter. Fact.

[r0drig0lac]

Lol who cares about chemistry when we have 3 mummies in gasoft, manur and porker that can bqrly log an nba minute?

And a 50 gazillion dollar aussie burger than could barly log a YMCA minute?

A 1 trick pony that cant even do his one trick anymore which is make 3s

A rookie level PG thats so far dumber than a bag of chicken bones

Who else do we have??

Our team is its awfully constructed and we are losing the games we are supposed to lose

You cant make an omelet with a bunch of

this x1000

[Ozballer]

As much as its painful to say it, Leonard 's personality appears as the biggest shortcoming between him and total greatness. Basketball is a team sport and most of the top tier players have a voice and some ability to build chemistry with their team mates. This is essential in putting together a championship calibre team around a leading star.
Nt saying it is not possible to mesh Kawhi with such a team, but can he actually be the leading piece with all the benefits of owning the keys of a franchise?
Doubt it. He would have to be a cog in a built team, like KD joining the GSW or like he was in 14-15 championship run. This is obviously a waste of talent for such an amazing player. The trick is how to build around Kawhi when he appears to have no ability to build empathy with his team mates. As such, it requires a pretty savvy and dedicated coach and plenty of planning to make it work. No better home than San Antonio for that.

In addition, I wonder how many superstars actually want to play with KL for this very reason (communication/ no on field chemistry). In other words, it is easy to say that the franchise is not attractive to lure stars across. But what if we say that it is because they do not feel they can build chemistry with KL?
This is actually a very fair point and i would love to be a fly on the wall to know what KL team mates and other players think of him.

[Hoops Czar]

I don't actually agree, especially not in the context I was talking about. The chemistry isn't awful because the guys suck. The team has had worst stretches of talent, including 2010 and 2014 when their top three wings were hurt. What's going on right now is most unprecedented from a chemistry standpoint, which is what I think Manu was going for.

Maybe the Cultural aspect got to Pop's head, thinking he could mold a bunch of toothless scrubs to another 50 win season while contending for a championship so he could prove himself to the rest of those NBA pundits just how smart he is and that you don't need a bunch of high priced, out of this world talents to win a championship. You just need hard work, discipline and players that buy into the system.. He reminds me a lot of Jimmy Johnson but in a smug, egotistical sort of way.

Forbes, Bertans, KA and Mills are flat out scrubs and nobody can convince me otherwise. The biggest problem is that those scrubs are seeing regular rotation minutes. You couple that with Parker's decline, Murray in the starting lineup where he doesn't belong and Pau's woeful effort on defense, you just aren't set up to win a lot of games. I mean, if those players were playing for any other team, we wouldn't even care to know who they are let alone think they could win 50 games in a season. The roster stinks.

[Brazil]

In a nuts and I said since day 1, issue is on rehad and Kawhi camp taking another direction from Spurs medical staff thus challenging and rumors

but let's transform into a kawhi not happy wants to leave because reasons...

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Kawhi needs to look himself in the mirror. If we need to go to details, he couldn't score a FT right at the end of the game to seal the 2013 championship - the Heat were done. Hypothetically that would have been 2 consecutive rings. Hypothetically speaking.

[dbreiden83080]

I find this so funny...

A top player is refusing to play to miss All-NBA considerations, playoffs appearances, ASG... right? I'm sure a top player loves to have a lost season. I'm sure his agent loves it too. And endorsements.

All we know it's they said that Spurs doctors couldn't find a structural damage but we didn't know what said the 2nd opinion that Kawhi got.

Also, saying threre is no structural damage doesn't mean that the quad doesn't have a dysfunction. It's not that hard to understand.

If it is not hard to understand, why don’t you get it? He was cleared by the Spurs medical staff to return to play. He pulled himself off the court. Again he is refusing to play. Pretty easy.

[DAF86]

If it is not hard to understand, why don’t you get it? He was cleared by the Spurs medical staff to return to play. He pulled himself off the court. Again he is refusing to play. Pretty easy.

And why do you think he did that? What benefit would he get from not playing?

[dbreiden83080]

And why do you think he did that? What benefit would he get from not playing?

Nothing

I think he has a very poor threshold for pain. Tim played on terrible knees for years and years. Jordan had back issues and knee issues on and off for years. Suck it up.

[Darius Bieber]

Been saying this since day 1. He's Grant Hill 2.0. People will be saying "What if" a couple years from now.

[ECOV]

Been saying this since day 1. He's Grant Hill 2.0. People will be saying "What if" a couple years from now.

[DAF86]

Nothing

I think he has a very poor threshold for pain. Tim played on terrible knees for years and years. Jordan had back issues and knee issues on and off for years. Suck it up.

So, iyo, he's refusing to play because he feels pain. That is a perfectly valid reason for refusing to play, imho.

[dbreiden83080]

So, iyo, he's refusing to play because he feels pain. That is a perfectly valid reason for refusing to play, imho.

The basketball season is a tremendous grind... If you want to be an all-time great player your career is a tremendous grind. Who exactly plays a career and is a great player pain-free? Larry bird had back issues long before he ever started missing significant game time. Kobe knee issues for years.. Great players play. They deal with it.