Popovich: Kawhi Was Not a Leader

[DPG21920]

How was he OBSESSED with scoring? He took less than 20 shots per game he never demanded a trade because of his touches

Ya, he just demanded a trade because he’s a coward.

[Hoops Czar]

Stacked? Lol... They have the same roster as last year... And no one would call that team stacked

They added Kawhi, Green Siakem and OG to the rotation. How is that the same team as last year?

[Kobe'sAchilles]

He was our number one option for one year... The year he was destroying the warriors

Also the year we beat Houston without him. And once again he got hurt. I don't think we beat Golden St that year anyways. I believe we lose in 6 instead of 4 with a healthy Kawhi. And he was our number 1 option against the Clippers until he couldn't handle it and he gave it up to 38 year old Tim Duncan. He was also our number 1 option when we lost to the Thunder. I get that he's your favorite player but the fact is that he has never won as the man before. Steph Curry has proven he can lead a team to a le and so has LeBron. Everybody else hasn't and that's why I wouldn't pay anyone not named Steph or LeBron that kind of money.

[Hoops Czar]

The difference is, I'm using a larger sample size and virtually every meaningful number backs up what I said.

Sure he isn't. He's been obsessed with his scoring average the past few years. It was clearly one of the things his sleazebag uncle brainwashed him into thinking is important, to get the notoriety they're desperately seeking in order to build his "brand".

Wait, I'm confused. I don't recall Kawhi going out and looking for a certain number. The Spurs desperately needed his increased scoring punch though. He's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA. Are you saying he should take less shots just so he can look humble and modest in the eyes of his critics? Never heard this argument when he was playing for the Spurs.

[TDMVPDPOY]

media outlets burying pop, but they dont quote his whole answer, just parts of it for sensation news....

yet kawhi took the bait and reply, yet didnt get to hear the reporter tell him the 2nd part of the answer that was left out....

[james evans]

If Kawhi was this bad of a player and teammate, then why are you guys so pissed that he’s gone??? Lol , if he was as bad as everyone says, I’d be happy he’s gone. Oh I get it, it’s called “bitterness”

[weebo]

If Kawhi was this bad of a player and teammate, then why are you guys so pissed that he’s gone??? Lol , if he was as bad as everyone says, I’d be happy he’s gone. Oh I get it, it’s called “bitterness”

Its a message board. If people don't engage in some sort of point/counter-point argument, then what's the point??

[DPG21920]

If Kawhi was this bad of a player and teammate, then why are you guys so pissed that he’s gone??? Lol , if he was as bad as everyone says, I’d be happy he’s gone. Oh I get it, it’s called “bitterness”

Who said he’s a bad player? Show me one person that said he was “bad”

[Fusternino]

I am happy he is gone I just wish we had gotten a better return. Was Toronto at least the 2nd best option? Yes. I still think and will think we had enough leverage with the Clippers to not give up Green to match salary and get back Harris/Harrell/2 picks.

[JeffDuncan]

If Kawhi was this bad of a player and teammate, then why are you guys so pissed that he’s gone??? Lol , if he was as bad as everyone says, I’d be happy he’s gone. Oh I get it, it’s called “bitterness”

You've got it. All of the endless crap being posted about Kawhi really translates into wishing he was still here.

[Rusty]

Raptors getting destroyed right now. The game against Warriors will be brutal

[cpds421]

Fun matchup between slowmo and nephew.

[loveforthegame]

Leonard and Anderson talked, shook hands, and hugged after the game.

[Hoops Czar]

Raptors getting destroyed right now. The game against Warriors will be brutal

That was a funny looking kill.

[therealtruth]

That was a funny looking kill.

The scary part is I don't think they've found they're rhythm yet as a team. They've probably still got another couple of gears.

[Hoops Czar]

Leonard and Anderson talked, shook hands, and hugged after the game.

​Attention 's just doing it for the cameras. He knows he's being watched.

[SAGirl]

Raptors getting destroyed right now. The game against Warriors will be brutal

Eventually 3 pt shooting from all their roleplayers and Lowry killed the Grizzlies. It was a fun game though and one where really 3 pt shooting was the difference. The Raptors are legit. They really have a chance to ring this season IMO. Spurs fan will be salty and I no longer like or think of Kiwi as well as I used to but this thing isn’t personal and I am fatigued from GSW dominance. Go Raptors next game!

[SAGirl]

Leonard and Anderson talked, shook hands, and hugged after the game.

It was odd to watch but

[Hoops Czar]

It was odd to watch but

Only odd to those who believe everything is Kawhi's fault and the GOAT PATFO was caught with their pants down.

[SAGirl]

Only odd to those who believe everything is Kawhi's fault and the GOAT PATFO was caught with their pants down.

I meant it bc of the respective team changes. IMO, Kawhi and Kyle were friends or at least what passes for friends in Kawhis world. They trained together in the summer since Kyle was a rookie (with the exception of the injured one, last one).

[YGWHI]

I meant it bc of the respective team changes. IMO, Kawhi and Kyle were friends or at least what passes for friends in Kawhis world. They trained together in the summer since Kyle was a rookie (with the exception of the injured one, last one).

Agree. Can't remember if it was before or after Grizz-Spurs game, Kyle mentioned Kawhi on his list of Spurs' players "a lot of guys I played with I learned from". He talked about the Big3 and then Danny Kawhi...
You don't hear many Spurs'/former Spurs' players mentioning Kawhi on these days. It seems like Kyle didn't get Pop's memo.

[YGWHI]

You're right . . . but too stupid to understand why.

I said I enjoy how narratives changed. I didn't give reasons for...changes because they don't matter. I pick players' side as NBA media does. We need more narratives about players and less about coaches/FOs.

A

t referring to the 76ers, Celtics and Kings as "elite compe ion" and reading too much into random regular season games.

Never said it. I said they need him to beat elite teams and needed him to win those games.

Anyway, I wouldn't forget that Sixers/Celtics and Bucks are the teams that Raptors have to beat in their conference.

[gospursgojas]

You've got it. All of the endless crap being posted about Kawhi really translates into wishing he was still here.

You mean to say we wish a FMVP DPOY top 5 player never quit on his team and was still here?

Of course we wish he was still here. But he’s a quitter. People act like spurs wanted to get rid of him. So now “haha look how great he’s doing jokes on you for getting rid of him”. But Kawhi was the one that didn’t want to be here and he quit on his team to force his way out. Yeah he’s doing great now and his team is benefitting from the trade but it’s all bc of one of the biggest moves in sports. Celebrate that if you want.

Kawhitter.

[Hoops Czar]

You mean to say we wish a FMVP DPOY top 5 player never quit on his team and was still here?

Of course we wish he was still here. But he’s a quitter. People act like spurs wanted to get rid of him. So now “haha look how great he’s doing jokes on you for getting rid of him”. But Kawhi was the one that didn’t want to be here and he quit on his team to force his way out. Yeah he’s doing great now and his team is benefitting from the trade but it’s all bc of one of the biggest moves in sports. Celebrate that if you want.

Kawehitter.

Looks like the players that got left at the alter are more understanding than the fans. Go figure. Maybe there's more to this story after all.

[JeffDuncan]

Of course we wish he was still here.

Yep.