We have a shot at the reigning champs without their best player and you're medically

[Keepin' it real]

This is why I'm withholding my final judgement for now. Let's see where we're at next year. Kiwi's quiet personality is likely making this situation seem worse than it is.

, I'm a quiet personality in real life, but I've heard (we've all heard) of PR firms and publicists. The fact that he and his group are not communicating proactively is a statement in and of itself.

[cd98]

We all know he's not playing. What's annoying is why the Spurs or Kawhi don't end the speculation and say he's not playing. I guess it's gamesmanship against GSW, but what the do they care? They know Kawhi or not, they are going to steamroll the Spurs. I mean, what's a guy that hasn't played basketball in 73 of the 82 games this season going to be able to do against the best team in the NBA?

[San Antonio Slayer]

We all know he's not playing. What's annoying is why the Spurs or Kawhi don't end the speculation and say he's not playing. I guess it's gamesmanship against GSW, but what the do they care? They know Kawhi or not, they are going to steamroll the Spurs. I mean, what's a guy that hasn't played basketball in 73 of the 82 games this season going to be able to do against the best team in the NBA?

He could return for the first home game just like Ibaka did in 2014 trying to impact as much as possible on and off the court. He is still a spur until his sister tweets opposite.

[weeks]

there's no way to spin it, and whether he comes back or not doesn't change anything: this was a real bad look for kawhi.
i hope the relationship can be fixed, but this saga has altered just about everyone's perception of him - probably permanently

[DPG21920]

It’s funny how people would call Pop out on some stuff he says but take other stuff as gospel.

So Pop and Co called him out and don’t have his back but Pop saying Kawhi not being with the team is ok because working out is more productive is just 100% fact and not something to take heat off Kawhi.


Ok.

[Splits]

we're the ing stock of the league

[FvckMavs]

He is the ing stock of the league

[Rob123]

What a refreshing, enlightening perspective offered by the OP. After reading this post, I'll never look at Kawhi the same way ever again. My eyes have been opened to truths previously obscured.

Not.

What an enlightening, thought provoking response. I'll never quite picture your internet persona the same when someone conjures up the image of a swollen pussy. My eyes have been opened to truths previously obscured.

[Rob123]

Exactly.

Too many in this thread choke on the dudes .

[Seventyniner]

As for the Supermax, it just doesn't make any sense to come with that offer right now. Think about it: the Spurs have refused to rule him out for the season 24 hours before the start of the playoffs; they are seemingly convinced that it's up to him to "feel ready to play", which he apparently can't or won't.

What follows from there should be to allow him few extra months to finally "feel ready to play" until their next meetup. If he or his camp agitate for the DPE before the former condition is met, then you start to listen on him very seriously because the jig is up right there.

This.

Can the Spurs offer him a less-than-DPE extension this summer? If they go to Kawhi and say "we can't trust you enough for the full supermax, but how about 5 years $190M? It's still more than you can get anywhere else" what is his response?