Woj: Spurs Held Players-Only Meeting to Implore Kawhi's Potential Return to Lineup

[SpursDynasty85]

Ok. So all we know is that they had a players only meeting. What was said no one but the players would likely know. All this speculation is what gives media money. I think continually confronting Kawhi respectfully could help immensely. If he doesn't grow at all from it I think it's time to trade but no one knows anything but the players probably not even Pop.

[coachmac87]

Reading Twitter and non-Spurs fans discuss this is painful

The Spurs are one of the most conservative and cautious organizations in sports..Pop is even extreme with his resting, which is something we all complain about..they were the defending champions and arguably the favorites to win the le in 2000, yet they still chose to sit Duncan out in the playoffs to avoid risking any long-term damage to his career..

If Kawhi's injury could legitimately affect his future, they wouldn't be taking the risk..I'm on the player's side in 99% of these scenarios, but I don't see it in this case..

Spurs doctors wouldn’t have cleared him if it jeopardizes his long term health....

I would agree with your view but it doesn’t add up

[dbreiden83080]

His behavior this season has been absolutely disgraceful. We have gone from Timmy, Who would do anything for the team and play through any type of pain, to this guy who is so soft he is literally working out and perfectly physically strong enough to return but is refusing because he feels a twinge here or there. It’s pathetic.

[FvckMavs]

His behavior this season has been absolutely disgraceful. We have gone from Timmy, Who would do anything for the team and play through any type of pain, to this guy who is so soft he is literally working out and perfectly physically strong enough to return but is refusing because he feels a twinge here or there. It’s pathetic.

[TimDunkem]

Maybe he's a hypochondriac.

[Killakobe81]

I'm confused on ...
1. what do the players gain from this meeting? If he was 100% he is playing ...are they asking him to risk a $200 million payday on a 10% max chance at a le?
2. Even if meeting wasnt tense ...im sure it was at least uncomfortable ...why put a introvert in that spot?
3. If he agrees to come back early and increases the chance at further injury would Spur fan be happy if he is more Grant Hill than Jordanesque and you are paying 200 mill for a post injury version of Hill?

Kiwi playing makes no sense for him or Spurs ...spurfan just gotta trust Pop to repair things likey they did with Lasoftus...if they can't he walks regardless ...him and the spurs getting bounced by a Rox team he could beat if healthy helps no one.

[Keepin' it real]

Maybe he's a hypochondriac.

I've postulated in other threads that Kawhi has become a hypochondriac due to Pop's abnormal obsession with injuries. It screwed up Kawhi's mind.

We're seeing karma at work. For years, Pop has screwed fans, networks and the league by routinely sitting healthy players. So what does he get?... A top 5 player who is afraid to play due to pain, and will not play even when the most conservative medical staff in the league has cleared him.

Karma's a .

[djohn2oo8]

I'm confused on ...
1. what do the players gain from this meeting? If he was 100% he is playing ...are they asking him to risk a $200 million payday on a 10% max chance at a le?
2. Even if meeting wasnt tense ...im sure it was at least uncomfortable ...why put a introvert in that spot?
3. If he agrees to come back early and increases the chance at further injury would Spur fan be happy if he is more Grant Hill than Jordanesque and you are paying 200 mill for a post injury version of Hill?

Kiwi playing makes no sense for him or Spurs ...spurfan just gotta trust Pop to repair things likey they did with Lasoftus...if they can't he walks regardless ...him and the spurs getting bounced by a Rox team he could beat if healthy helps no one.

To be fair, the team needa an answer on if they are going to be preparing for the playoffs with him or without him

[Arcadian]

All these conspiracy theories

[Killakobe81]

To be fair, the team needa an answer on if they are going to be preparing for the playoffs with him or without him

I dont agree djohn. Pop just spoke on it and confirmed Spurs wont play him until He is cleared by his own doctors. Manu was right gotta assume he wont play at this point...
if he does, its a pleasant surprise ...

[r0drig0lac]

I'm confused on ...
1. what do the players gain from this meeting? If he was 100% he is playing ...are they asking him to risk a $200 million payday on a 10% max chance at a le?
2. Even if meeting wasnt tense ...im sure it was at least uncomfortable ...why put a introvert in that spot?
3. If he agrees to come back early and increases the chance at further injury would Spur fan be happy if he is more Grant Hill than Jordanesque and you are paying 200 mill for a post injury version of Hill?

Kiwi playing makes no sense for him or Spurs ...spurfan just gotta trust Pop to repair things likey they did with Lasoftus...if they can't he walks regardless ...him and the spurs getting bounced by a Rox team he could beat if healthy helps no one.

fair

[djohn2oo8]

I dont agree djohn. Pop just spoke on it and confirmed Spurs wont play him until He is cleared by his own doctors. Manu was right gotta assume he wont play at this point...
if he does, its a pleasant surprise ...

They cannot go into the playoffs with a will he or won't he. Pop did not rule him out for the season. Still alot of uncertainty.

[Keepin' it real]

SJax just speculated on ESPN that the players-only meeting was orchestrated by Pop. He said no one on the team is confrontational to approach Kawhi like that.

He also said they're messing up by doing Kawhi like that. And that they better not try to lowball Kawhi this summer ... because they've been overpaying Ginobili the past few years!

[coachmac87]

I just don’t understand Kawhi frustration with PATFO..

Let’s say they did misdiagnosed the injury..if it’s not career altering what’s the big deal? If the Spurs are willing to give him the max it’s not like he missed out on anything. If missing this season cost him $ or accolades down the road I would get it..

But if the Spurs are willing to pay you more than anyone what’s the problem?

[Killakobe81]

They cannot go into the playoffs with a will he or won't he. Pop did not rule him out for the season. Still alot of uncertainty.

No he did not ...but if he is not 100% soon ... no chance he will be when the playoffs start in 3 weeks. And he would still need to get in game shape ...and Spurs are facing a tough series in round one. If it was a young team like denver utah etc. he could ease back in ...against okc he matching up with a poor man's version of himself in PG13

[dabom]

No he did not ...but if he is not 100% soon ... no chance he will be when the playoffs start in 3 weeks. And he would still need to get in game shape ...and Spurs are facing a tough series in round one. If it was a young team like denver utah etc. he could ease back in ...against okc he matching up with a poor man's version of himself in PG13

Kawhi at 15 percent was ting on warriettes.

[dbestpro]

Someone should ask Bill Russell or Kellen Winslow to have a talk with Leonard. The Spurs were able to coach him up on his talent, not so much on his heart.

[davidbowie]

even if he comes back it wont be the same. he showed his true colors. he's been cleared.

for whatever reason he obv doesnt wanna play. all this extra drama is just embarrassing at this point

[phxspurfan]

Supermax.

Well it's going to be harder to give him the Supermax if he doesn't come back and rescue / lead the team and lets them lose in the first round or not even make the playoffs. These are vets with pride and fighting their asses off, and their supposed Supermax Superstar MVP leader is not in the fight. Don't think the FO won't consider how giving a player like that the Supermax would impact the locker room. They'd basically have to get rid of everyone, incl LMA


BTW this all makes the meeting with Kawhi before last Thursday, where Pop supposedly said Kawhi wasn't ready, make it look like lowkey Pop is protecting Kawhi from the bad press/perception, in an attempt to keep him since he's his superstar.

[phxspurfan]

Or trade him for Dame straight up.

Spurs homers on my potential trade pre-deadline of Kawhi (+ filler) for Dame + MCCollum. Now it's unlikely we'd even get Dame.

[cd98]

If not for this drama, would ESPN even mention the Spurs outside of the box score? Kawhi is getting the Spurs in the news.

[BillMc]

I don't want to take a side for or against Kawhi because in the end its his body and only he knows how he feels.

But, it does seem, that is going to be very difficult for him to be the leader of this team going forward (assuming some day he does take the floor again.) The guys want the one in the foxhole with them. And the perception, fair or not, is Kawhi wants to be miles from the front lines. It's a real shame.

[Ocotillo]

I get it, I ate too much for lunch and my stomach is so full that I can't really do my job so I have been lurking at Spurs Talk today........

[SpurPadre]

Or trade him for Dame straight up.

But Dame and LMA hate each other's ing guts, tbh.

[SAGirl]

No he did not ...but if he is not 100% soon ... no chance he will be when the playoffs start in 3 weeks. And he would still need to get in game shape ...and Spurs are facing a tough series in round one. If it was a young team like denver utah etc. he could ease back in ...against okc he matching up with a poor man's version of himself in PG13

Kiwi gave a media interview where he said he wanted to play and was getting ready. We assume his camp has leaked to the media all sorts of different dates when he is expected back. Meantime Pop was the opposite said, he would be surprised if he played this year and that he told the team to get ready to play the rest of the way without him. There are a lot of conflicting reports leaked to the media and the team, teammates included don't know what the he heck is going on. They don't see him practice, he doesn't practice with the team, he's not doing 3 or 3 or whatever with players and he has been away from the team most of the year frankly. It seems the teammates themselves are in the dark, except for Danny who said he kept in touch with Kawh through texts and he knew he was getting treated in NY.

Truth is teammates know about as much as you and me... and so Tony wanted to talk to Kawhi face to face and got the group together and they talked to him... per some reports in a non confrontational manner.

Now someone leaked through the media this was a huge deal, with teammates pleading emotionally and begging.

However, i do agree with you, if the dude isn't medically cleared after 5-6 months whatever it is, and multiple rehabs, he's not going to magically be fine in 1 week.