Pop: I would be surprised if Kawhi comes back this season

[TimDunkem]

He doesn't want to be here.

[gospursgojas]

Is this mindset of not playing while injured actually Pop’s fault for always sitting his players for whatever, including his ankle last year? Or is it Kawhi, not Pop who insisted he was done after game2?

He’s fine. Docs said so. This is a ploy to get out of SA.

[Nathan89]

imagine ST if kawhi announces his decision to leave the spurs is based on his fractured relationship with Pop as he dons a MAGA hat

That would be upsetting tbh. Considering Pop was all giggles shaking carpet bombing Obama's hand after 2014 and is now on some moral high horse.

[gilmor]

Its obvious from Pop's and Tony's interviews, they are pretty fed up with Kawhi and his drama-mama's at ude..

Just wait for Manu to say the same thing..

[coachmac87]

He’s fine. Docs said so. This is a ploy to get out of SA.

That’s a horrible idea. How does that benefit Kawhi??

[Dex]

He doesn't want to be here.

He was at the hair salon!

[Dex]

That’s a horrible idea. How does that benefit Kawhi??

I agree. If Kawhi really DOES want out of San Antonio...exaggerating an injury does nothing but tank his trade value, and the Spurs aren't going to move him without massive return. He's shooting himself in the foot if he is hoping for an early exit.

Otherwise, he is under contract until 19/20...what is he going to do, just sit out until then?

[8FOR!3]

So what do we do heading into the playoffs assuming Rudy Gay comes out and plays well and is ready to play bigger minutes? Give Kyle the job since he's more used to it at this point or do we start Rudy at the 3? If Kyle is the starting 3 that starting lineup really lacks shooting, not that he doesn't bring positive things to the table too.

[davidbowie]

this fool is gone. smh

[Russ]

I agree. If Kawhi really DOES want out of San Antonio...exaggerating an injury does nothing but tank his trade value, and the Spurs aren't going to move him without massive return. He's shooting himself in the foot if he is hoping for an early exit.

Otherwise, he is under contract until 19/20...what is he going to do, just sit out until then?

Wouldn't it just be a game of chicken between Kawhi and the Spurs at that point?

Kawhi wants to be traded for less so it doesn't deplete his new team's roster.

The Spurs want a return.

So Kawhi says, I'll sit out and you can continue to pay me to be an ongoing neverending disruption if you want.

Who blinks first?

[Dex]

Wouldn't it just be a game of chicken between Kawhi and the Spurs at that point?

Kawhi wants to be traded for less so it doesn't deplete his new team's roster.

The Spurs want a return.

So Kawhi says, I'll sit out and you can continue to pay me to be an ongoing neverending disruption if you want.

Who blinks first?

Seems like bull that a player can just refuse to play. What good is a contract if he doesn't have to hold up his end and the Spurs have to foot the bill?

[tholdren]

all this . Worst season ever.

Kl worst spur ever

[UZER]

Been saying it for a while, Pop is not an easy man to play for, coach or system. Some people just can't handle it.

Not excusing Kawhi, but Pop and his stubborn old ways, and this shtick that shtick, on and on. Some people just don't want to play for that.

LMA is the only major prime free agent to ever sign here, and look how he struggled.

PATFO always like to ask the first question, "Is he a Spurs?" Well guess what, Tim Duncan ain't walking through that door. Tony and Manu aren't walking through that door.

Stars don't want to play for Pop period.

[Russ]

Kl worst spur ever

Even if Kawhi comes back could you ever see Pop coaching him harder than anyone -- like he did with Duncan -- to show the rest of the team that, if Pop treats the star that way, they all need to fall in line.

No way that kind of trust can exist now.

The "Spurs Way" finally seems to be over no matter what happens from here on out.

[tholdren]

Trade

[tholdren]

Even if Kawhi comes back could you ever see Pop coaching him harder than anyone -- like he did with Duncan -- to show the rest of the team that, if Pop treats the star that way, they all need to fall in line.

No way that kind of trust can exist now.

The "Spurs Way" finally seems to be over no matter what happens from here on out.

Todays nba. ty players w no skill crying

[phxspurfan]

Even if Kawhi comes back could you ever see Pop coaching him harder than anyone -- like he did with Duncan -- to show the rest of the team that, if Pop treats the star that way, they all need to fall in line.

No way that kind of trust can exist now.

The "Spurs Way" finally seems to be over no matter what happens from here on out.

If we execute a trade for someone good it's not over.

[gospursgojas]

Wouldn't it just be a game of chicken between Kawhi and the Spurs at that point?

Kawhi wants to be traded for less so it doesn't deplete his new team's roster.

The Spurs want a return.

So Kawhi says, I'll sit out and you can continue to pay me to be an ongoing neverending disruption if you want.

Who blinks first?

I would think theres some sort of legal protection the spurs have to a player who’s be been medically cleared to play but refuses.

[bklynspursfan]

[tbdog]

Paul is dellusional.

[ElNono]

hope his quad explodes, tbh

[Dre_7]

Paul is dellusional.

So you think Fergie was a wise choice?

[Brazil]

we have been blessed with tony manu bruce tim tbh...

[Brazil]

hope his quad explodes, tbh

Even our our washed up old farts boys are tougher at 40 y/o than this baby doll... kinda sad

[MultiTroll]

nope, doesn't have to be that bad, only bad enough where there constant, weakening, even minor pain, which prevents full usage, plus the docs might say playing before pain-free and fully healed could result in permanent, or MUCH longer recovery.

This is entirely possible imo.
ST Spurfan in general has diagnosed Kahwi as faking it. I don't believe he is.