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This is the Spurs' super bowl. Just another game for the Raps, tbh..
1. Is Kawhi Leonard’s return a must-win for the Spurs? Is this, essentially, San Antonio’s Super Bowl?
Logically, the Spurs would be best served looking at Leonard’s return as simply one of 82. For San Antonio to make the playoffs, they’ll need to be hitting on all cylinders for the vast majority of the regular season. Gone are the days that they can coast to 50-plus (or even 60-plus) regular season wins.
If the Spurs put too much stock into tonight’s game, the repercussions could be dangerous. The disappointment from a loss could cause a downward spiral, while the jubilation from a win could cause them to lose focus of the bigger picture’s reality that they are on a day-to-day grind trying to scratch and claw their way as close to 50 wins as they can get.
2. So, if the team should consider this game just one of 82, Spurs fans would be wrong to boo Kawhi, right?
no. Any Spurs fan who paid attention to how the drama played out should know they have the right to boo. Honestly, I think they should boo.
Look, I don’t think Leonard is mean guy or that he intentionally meant to hurt Spurs fans. But there is no denying that he did irreparable harm to his Spurs legacy and disrespected Spurs legends on his way out the door.
Leonard’s antics overshadowed and negatively impacted what turned out to be Manu Ginobili’s farewell season. Leonard didn’t (and still hasn’t) refuted the media’s narrative that Tony Parker’s misconstrued “100 times worse” statement played a role in his departure. Leonard refused to meet with (or even take calls from) Tim Duncan or David Robinson. Leonard played hide-and-go-seek with Pop and the rest of the front office during and after the season. On top of all that, he stopped attending games and basically disassociated himself from his teammates during the middle of a season.
If Leonard wanted to leave, that’s fine. That was his right in a league where free agency exists and superstars call the shots. How he handled things was unforgivable. Any red-blooded Spurs fan should boo.
Logically, the Spurs should attempt to have the mindset that this is simply one of 82. Realistically, they won’t. And, honestly, Spurs fans shouldn’t. If there aren’t boos raining down on Leonard, I would be disappointed.
3. Should Kawhi get 100% of the blame for the divorce?
I’ve spent a couple months investigating what exactly went wrong between Leonard and the Spurs. I’ve gotten some really interesting information and sources behind the scenes – both those close to Leonard and close to the Spurs -- paint fascinating pictures.
(Unfortunately, I’ve been warned that I’d basically be blackballed if I were to make certain details public. I have to figure out if I care about being blackballed. I’m leaning toward not caring, to be honest. I’ll make that decision in the next couple months or so.)
Some of the things I’ve heard have made me sympathetic to Leonard. At this point, I would say the blame is closer to 50-50 than most Spurs fans would like to admit. But, still, even if Leonard was completely justified, the aforementioned disrespect is all but unforgivable.
4. How is Kawhi playing this season?
In the first few weeks of the season, Leonard wasn’t quite back at his 2016-2017 level offensively. But recently, he not only reached that level, he has surpassed it. Leonard’s offense has been amazing. It may sound hyperbolic but I’d say, when he has it going, his one-on-one scoring ability and his unguardableness is at levels not seen since Michael Jordan’s heyday.
Steph Curry can catch fire and shoot the lights out. LeBron James’ ability to carry a team could make him the greatest of all-time. But if you’re talking about a mano-a-mano situation in the halfcourt, Leonard is as unstoppable as they come. He has an endless repertoire of moves, he attacks at an assassin’s pace, he has great touch from all angles, he has a powerful build and he’s fearless.
Defensively, it’s a different story. Leonard is nowhere near DPOY level. Advanced stats say he’s one of the worst defenders on the Raptors and, for example, is a worse defender than DeMar DeRozan.
Personally, I wouldn’t go as far as the advanced stats go. Leonard is no longer a great defender but he appears to still be a good defender who is capable of having great defensive possessions when needed most. Even though the advanced stats disagree, I think he’d still be the best defender on the Spurs.
5. Has Kawhi improved the Raptors to the point that they should be considered the Eastern Conference favorites?
That’s a tricky question. First of all, the Raptors aren’t obviously better than they were last season. On a per-possession basis, they’re worse offensively and they’re worse defensively. A lot of that is due to injuries and due to working Leonard into their system – but let us not overlook the fact that they were a 59-win team last season.
That said, they are definitely a more dangerous playoff team. They’re talented, deep and experienced. Offensively, Leonard’s one-on-one skills translate perfectly to playoff basketball; opposing coaches can’t scheme against what he can bring to the table when he’s running at optimal. Defensively, the prospect of Leonard being able to summon his DPOY-level play raises their ceiling on that end as well.
I’m not sure they are the favorites in the East (Kyle Lowry’s age and brittleness is worrisome, as is the regression of a few of their role players) but with Leonard leading the charge, they are probably the most feared team in the conference.
6. Did the Spurs get equal value in the Kawhi trade?
No. DeRozan has been even better than I projected – he should be an All-Star if the Spurs keep up their recent winning ways. Jakob Poeltl is a quality young bigman who has about a decade of starting-caliber play ahead of him.
But Leonard is not a player you trade as it’s just about impossible to get equal value in return. He’s too good.
Considering the cir stances, I think the Spurs did okay. DeRozan has fit in well – on and off the court. Poeltl was a good get and the first round draft pick the Spurs will receive from Toronto has value. But, yeah, that’s not a trade you consider unless your hand is forced.
7. Back to tonight’s game, who will win?
With Rudy Gay out for the Spurs and Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas out for the Raptors, it’s tough to say. Gay would be the guy to defend Leonard if healthy. Without him, slowing Leonard will be even more difficult.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pop try Derrick White against Leonard but that matchup could quickly go south for the Spurs if the Raptors put Leonard on the low block. There’s also a chance that Pop starts Dante Cunningham to defend Leonard. I think that’d be a mistake because Cunningham isn’t mobile enough to defend Leonard out to the three-point line and isn’t quick enough to stay in front of his drives to the rim (not to mention how Cunningham would hurt the offensive attack).
The answer might be the most made-for-TV one: DeRozan. Sure, DeRozan isn’t to be confused for a lockdown defender but you can bet he’ll have the motivation, if nothing else. He wouldn’t admit it to a camera but you know DeRozan would like nothing better than to send a cold dish of revenge back with the Raptors to the frozen North.
Sending relentless double-teams at Leonard is an option but I’m not sure it’s a smart one. While Leonard isn’t a great passer (in fact, he’s probably regressed a bit in that aspect), he has always been a willing passer and will find the open man, if necessary.
The best option for San Antonio is playing Leonard straight up while trying to limit him to around 30 points and stopping their three-point shooters from catching fire. If he goes too ballistic, that strategy may have to change ... but I’d be surprised if the coaches enter the game with an overly aggressive defensive gameplan.
As far as who will win, I’d say it’s close to a coin flip. Oddsmakers give the Spurs a slight edge due to them being at home and that’s a fair assessment. If DeRozan is uber motivated, under control emotionally and focused defensively, the Spurs have a good shot. Leonard could go nuclear, yes, but it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to what will hopefully be a constant chorus of boos.
While this might just be one of 82, it’s also the one regular season game in recent history that Spurs fans really, really want. And for good reason.
Get it.
This is the Spurs' super bowl. Just another game for the Raps, tbh..
Interesting. I am sure Timvp will have everyone and their uncle - pun intended - asking him to give up the goods on the behind the scenes ery on Kawhitter's betrayal -
I say at the end of the day what goes around comes around and Kawhi will get his one day - that piece of -
how can spurs fans who have witnessed the greatness of hall of famers - who not only were hall of fame talents but were the most humble and graceful people in all of sports -
even consider for one minute - giving Kawhi ANY respect from now on. I think spurs fans should ignore this piece of quitter forever.
For kawhi to have on spurs legends - that alone should be enough to cast out this asshole for life.
Great write-up. Interesting on Kawhi and what happened behind the scenes. I wish both sides had handled things better...just sucks for the Spurs, basketball fans, and the city of San Antonio. Methinks the Spurs as an organization were probably a little heavy handed in their dealing with Kawhi, and superstars need superstar treatement these days. Egos need stroking in today's NBA.
I want the fans to chant "MVP" for DeRozan. I see the Raps fans doing that for Kawhi almost every game...I think it might send a nice message, almost moreso than booing KL.
Man I wish I was there to boo. Boo that man.
Very curious to see what you uncovered. In the end it won't be the full story and it will probably need to be scrutinized as well but it sounds like these will be juicy details. It wold hurt to hear Spurs did something really wrong but if they did I would understand. Spurs are not a perfect organization we all know Robinson, Duncan were two of the luckiest picks ever.
Would you be willing to post your opinion on the blame percentage? For example 75% Number 2/25% Spurs.
Given what you know about the whole situation, do you think the Spurs got about as much value as could reasonably be expected?
I get the feeling the whole entire story will come out in 10 years on 30 for 30. It would be nice if we could get the real story earlier but I can understand if you never release it.
I've said since the beginning that it takes two. Obviously something went very wrong for Kawhi to completely shun the Spurs organization. My guess is it was some sort of misunderstanding that spiraled out of control.
Man, timvp, it'ss been driving me nuts trying to figure where exactly things went wrong. I don't want you to get black balled but man I'm dying to hear what actually went down. It's interesting that you say you've become more sympathetic toward's Leonard's side of the story and how it could actually be more 50-50.
RC sat down with all the staff and they still couldn't figure out where they went wrong.
Does your sympathy arise from the players only meeting that popovich supposedly organized?
I'd guess it has something to do with the reluctance to offer the supermax or something of that nature..
If that's the case then patfo tbh
All along, even the most homer fan seems to say they would have been ok with Kawhi leaving if he handled it better. No one is perfect but Kawhi and his camp took every excuse they could to screw the team and fans over.
Even if you want to leave you don’t cross the lines Kawhi crossed.
If its about money then we should see him stay in TOR. You don’t force a trade due to money then give up EVEN MORE to go to LA.
Dude, just post it with your apalisoc_9 account to avoid the blame.
the good thing about the spurs being so young is that i really think most of the younger players don't give a f#ck.
His decision regarding Toronto will be very telling, regardless..
Kawhi definitely acted like a , there's no denying that.
it's probably a mix of a different reasons
- injury -> disagreement on the protocols to be followed + kawhi distancing himself from the organization and teammates during rehab
- entourage -> uncle dennis / pop
- contract -> fo maybe told him they won't guarantee him supermax
Spurs not offering him the supermax probably played into it. Weren't there reports that Uncle Dennis wanted a position in the front office?
Man that guy AND his people!!!
exactly, just use a troll account
Yeah, that'll be some good silent drama this summer...
The thing that makes Kawhi such a s bag is the quitting and running
Aldridge is a diva and a supposed factor in his wanting to leave Portland was jealousy over Lillard getting more attention. And when in his final year in Portland he had a hand injury that was the perfect and defendable excuse to shut it down the rest of the year.
But he kept playing. He didn't want to stay, didn't get along great with his teammates or organization, and was hurt and risking his future payday for a team that wasn't contending. But he played and played hard. Unlike s mg Kawhi.
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