Popovich: Kawhi Was Not a Leader

[Amuseddaysleeper]

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.

That would’ve been an incredible trade if that offer was actually on the table.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

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.

[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]

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.

Raps will cruise to the finals unfortunately

[Dverde]

Ibaka going to turn into a pumpkin when the playoffs happen. I think’ll they’ll make the conference finals. Nephew won’t go all out when he starts to get banged up.

[therealtruth]

The regular season probably doesn't mean much for Kawhi. It's playoffs where he will step up his game and remind you why the Spurs were leading the Warriors by 20 on their homecourt in 2017 WCF.

[exstatic]

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

I don't wish he was still here. He was obviously unhappy here, and shouldn't still be a Spur. However, he was a complete piece of in the WAY that he left. That's what folks are still angry about. He'll also never have his number retired here, or likely anywhere. If Orlando didn't retire Shaq after 3 All NBA seasons, and him just straight leaving, there's no way the Spurs reward that knife in the back job that his family did on them.

[JeffDuncan]

I don't wish he was still here. ...

When people are glad somebody's gone, that's about all they say: "I'm sure glad he's gone." They don't much care how he left.

[SpurPadre]

When people are glad somebody's gone, that's about all they say: "I'm sure glad he's gone." They don't much care how he left.

Not true. I'm glad Kyle Anderson is gone but I have no ill-will towards him because he went about it the right way. I was glad Matt Bonner retired because I thought he was one of the worst NBA players I had ever seen but even I acknowledge that he's a nice guy who means well and endeared himself to the organization. Kawhi's handling of his exit was completely unethical and reflects poorly on him as a person. I care about that because I have principles. Many here do too.

[TD 21]

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.

He's not even All Star level this season. +1.57 RPM, and a measly +0.25 DPRM. Maybe now Spurfan and Kawhi fanboys will finally see what I saw the last two seasons as Kawhi transitioned from a killer all-around player into trying to be the next Jordan/Kobe. He ball stops. He's too mid-range dependent (his percentage of attempts from the midrange are the highest they ever been). Relatively poor dribble drive game. I used to argue blue in the face with the likes of YGHWI and those that wanted to see Kawhi drop 30 every night that he would be a much better overall player if he were B on offense (20-21ppg range) and just continued wreaking havoc on the defensive end. But Kawhi thinks he's a Jordan, Durant, Lebron level offensive talent. He isn't. Doesn't mean he can't be an MVP level player, but that's going to take a recommitment to defense and knowing his role on offense.

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.

[COLOR=#222222][FONT=Verdana]

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.

Nah, you're just the definition of a fanboy. Any rationale, unbiased person, would treat each case as its own separate en y and not make blanket statements.

We don't need more ass kissing of the divas who are destroying team building in the league. We have more than enough of that as is.

[duncan2k5]

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

Huh??? Did u watch any games last year? They ALL were on the team except Green... And they all played... They have ONE all star... How is that a stacked team? Ur definition of stacked is hilarious... They have a lot of good role players... But no one would say they are stacked... That usually refers to all star players

[duncan2k5]

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.

We didn't beat Houston without Kawhi... Not sure what games u were watching

[duncan2k5]

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.

And that was the same year... U are wording it as if those were two different years... So my point is correct... He was the number one option for only one year

[duncan2k5]

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.

What do u consider leading a team to a le? Kawhi won finals mvp... He was clearly the best player in that series... Just because everyone else played well also means he doesn't deserve it? If that's the case, then no warrior deserves it either... Especially curry since he never won finals mvp

[duncan2k5]

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.

And if u think Kawhi is the reason we lost to the clippers, u are stupid... Pop's inability to defend a simple pick and roll is the reason we lost... Kawhi wasn't the one guarding Blake griffin nor CP3... Kawhi is the reason we even went 7 games with Pop's poor game planning

[DMC]

duncan2K5, why did you quote the same paragraph 3 times?

lol

[duncan2k5]

Ibaka going to turn into a pumpkin when the playoffs happen. I think’ll they’ll make the conference finals. Nephew won’t go all out when he starts to get banged up.

Kawhi went all out everytime he played for us... U act as if he is Tony Parker

[DMC]

Huh??? Did u watch any games last year? They ALL were on the team except Green... And they all played... They have ONE all star... How is that a stacked team? Ur definition of stacked is hilarious... They have a lot of good role players... But no one would say they are stacked... That usually refers to all star players

No one gave 2 s about the Raptors last year. This year you're still mourning Kawhi so you pretend to care about the Raptors.

[duncan2k5]

When people are glad somebody's gone, that's about all they say: "I'm sure glad he's gone." They don't much care how he left.

Exactly... I will be ecstatic when LMA goes... I won't give a how... And I wouldn't say a WORD about him after he does

[Collins21]

Dude can you stop this all you do is blow Kawhi!!

[duncan2k5]

duncan2K5, why did you quote the same paragraph 3 times?

lol

I replied as I read the arguments... Lol

[MultiTroll]

Kawhi Leonard, New Balance agree to multi-year shoe deal

more reason that Kawhi will concern himself with Pops leadership comments.

[BillMc]

Kawhi Leonard, New Balance agree to multi-year shoe deal


more reason that Kawhi will concern himself with Pops leadership comments.

It would not surprise me if that was one of the key factors in KL wanting out of SA. Go to a bigger market, play for a coach who lets you get big stats, and we'll give you the money deal. We'll see if he bolts Toronto for bigger LA, even if the Raptors make the Finals.

[MultiTroll]

It would not surprise me if that was one of the key factors in KL wanting out of SA. Go to a bigger market, play for a coach who lets you get big stats, and we'll give you the money deal. We'll see if he bolts Toronto for bigger LA, even if the Raptors make the Finals.

The year he was having legit MVP season, consistent 50/40/90 stuff especially after the start of the 2nd half. CIA Pop pulled it all back and began force feeding LMA under the guise that we had to *get him going*. That was total b.s. I suspect it was LMA pouting about touches.

THAT would be enough to buttfry a lot of players. However I certainly don't condone Kawhis non communicative method of leaving.

I am in the camp that speculates something far more came down that we may never know about.

[RD2191]

He's right, Kawhi was too to lead the tank.

[DMC]

He's right, Kawhi was too to lead the tank.

Since you have nothing behind "too" I have to assume you mean "absent".

[RD2191]

*good lol