Uncle Dennis Finally Talks! “They didn’t believe Kawhi couldn’t play and that caused a lack of trust"

[daslicer]

A few thoughts. First, I don't get all this cloak & dagger secrecy on what really occurred during this saga and I don't really believe ESPN is simply holding the story in order to avoid being blackballed. The Spurs (given their small market status) need ESPN more than they need them so it doesn't really make much sense. Additionally, this is not the same situation like when Jordan blackballed SI since Leonard hardly ever does media and has nowhere near the clout in the league. The Spurs also generally keep things tight to the vest and without controversy so it's not like Wright will lose any consequential stories in the future. Plus whatever happen to being a journalist and putting out probably the most controversial story to come out of the Spurs organization ever!

Secondly, the current injury looks to be the same quad issue he had last year so what's the difference in terms of gutting it out for the Raptors but not playing for the Spurs. The media story was always a misdiagnosis and Kawhi's doctors know best but it's been more than a year since Leonard's doctors have done anything with him but here we are, back with what appears to be the same injury. It's even more su ious that the Raptors and Leonard won't comment on the injury itself. Also, outside of this Yahoo article, I haven't heard a peep from ESPN or TNT on the apparent contradiction. Nobody has said that this is a new injury or even supposed that it was the same injury as last year.

One thing that seems evident is that the relationship had started to fracture prior to 2017 season and the Wright podcast gave some insights on the issues. I get that Uncle Dennis played a significant role but Kawhi is grown man so it's safe to assume he knew these actions were creating a rift. However, if the uncle was manipulating the situation to manufacture this issue, the Spurs should have played it smarter. It's hard to assess this situation because of the missing pieces because some are concerned about be blackballed but again, it's hard to see a risk given the Spurs are never ones to be controversial so you are not going to miss any substantive stories . Perhaps there will be a 30 for 30 10 years from now.

To me it drives me nuts how the truth has been covered up in this story. It's not like its some government scandal that public information can't be released.

[Mugen]

The big bad Spurs causing so much mistrust that it made a grown man hide in a supply closet

[DPG21920]

To me it drives me nuts how the truth has been covered up in this story. It's not like its some government scandal that public information can't be released.

Look, in any industry, but especially sports where information is king these things are weighed carefully. Besides that, when the story involves perhaps going after people with otherwise great reputations and lots of connections that are held in high regard around the league that is also weighed.

[daslicer]

The big bad Spurs causing so much mistrust that it made a grown man hide in a supply closet

He also scared of a guy who was several inches smaller than him along with weighing probably 80 pounds less than him and took it personal when he said his injury was worse than his.

[daslicer]

Look, in any industry, but especially sports where information is king these things are weighed carefully. Besides that, when the story involves perhaps going after people with otherwise great reputations and lots of connections that are held in high regard around the league that is also weighed.

I see what you are saying but TBH I have never seen anything that has been covered up like this in Sports. I'm not just talking about the NBA, but all the sports leagues. The only thing I can think of that comes close is the Patriot's scandal with Spy Games.

[DJR210]

Will Uncle Dennis allow his nephew to come back if we agree to make him the team doctor?

[Russ]

Winning really cures all.. As long as Kawhi plays at this level Spurs will be seen as the villain in this story by the majority unfortunately.

Absolutely.

The world loves winners more than those who just fought the good fight.

They write the history books.

Be prepared for a summer of Spurs-bashing . . .

[DPG21920]

Absolutely.

The world loves winners more than those who just fought the good fight.

They write the history books.

Be prepared for a summer of Spurs-bashing . . .

And that is what is so stupid about this. People are acting like SA or their fans are retroactively hating on Kawhi’s game. No. Everyone knew how good he was.

Him winning isn’t some big “F U” to all the haters in SA. People are mad about HOW this all went down, not about the player he is.

[DPG21920]

I see what you are saying but TBH I have never seen anything that has been covered up like this in Sports. I'm not just talking about the NBA, but all the sports leagues. The only thing I can think of that comes close is the Patriot's scandal with Spy Games.

It’s not really covered up; the story is mostly out there. Its about getting down to the nitty gritty and naming names. But ultimately the majority of stuff is out there. What is not out there is the laid out, step-by-step scenarios chronologically laid out.

[LCM]

Wright has now just stated that it was nobody's fault just a big misunderstanding.

Michael C Wright on his own twitter feed on April 28th stated he is leaving ESPN later in the summer after 9 years. His contract isn't up yet, hasn't secured possible future employment so he'll say what ESPN wants him to say at this point.

[Beartrucci]

ESPN gonna be taking a huge all over Spurs today, starting with First Take. Rachel Nichols will probably have S-Jax on The Jump tomorrow everyone is loving this so much, what a low point for the Spurs

[ECOV]

Ehhh they can talk all they want that's all they ever did to the spurs anyway

[absoloot66]

So what happened between China and training camp that caused the injury or the quad to flare?

I recall murmurs/speculation during 17-18 season that he'd possibly over-trained during his legendary summer workouts.

[dg7md]

Porker ran him out, sorry it is the truth. Good luck to Kawhi in his future on the Raps or in LA.

[Beartrucci]

Ehhh they can talk all they want that's all they ever did to the spurs anyway

It's different because the Spurs actually deserve it this time to some extent. To what extent it's hard to know without more info, but it's pretty obvious they deserve blame along with Kawhi and Co.

[Realdeal1]

Did Timmy , Manu, and Tony haze and bully little kahwi ? Like what are we 12 years old? Is that what kawhi is so butt hurt about ?

[Realdeal1]

The media is gonna on the Spurs all week and all summer if kawhi rings ..uncle Dennis talking about the Spurs AFTER kawhi makes the finals was a calculated move on uncle Dennis / kawhi camp.. the only thing that will ease the blow is for kawhi to come up short in the finals and leave Toronto

[weebo]

Wonder what Demar is up to these days

[Harry Callahan]

No wonder I see nothing from michael c. wright. He is being kicked to the curb by ESPN. Now that is a classy organization isn't it?

If you posters would take a little time today and listen to the Podcast MC Wright did last july 5 2018 you would be better informed - I think is is posted on the big KL thread. I just did (for a second time) and it is crazy how unprofessional Uncle Dennis was (and is). Just because he is lower profile than Lavar Ball still doesn't hide the widely held opinion that he is a loon.

Winning the NBA championship for Toronto DOES NOT MAKE YOU RIGHT. I see a great player with physical issues still and his doctors have been controlling everything for TWO years.

They want their money and they want to do what they want - by any means necessary. I can understand why the Spurs org grew weary of dealing with this "group" of clowns. They wanted out and they wanted to harm the organization while they were at it. Integrity my ass Cris Carter.

[Realdeal1]

Wonder what Demar is up to these days

hopefully this motivates derozan to stop sucking and to improve his game *cough *get a 3 pt shot *cough ... I like derozan but this needs to light a fire in him .. he's being talked about to this whole week by Toronto fans /media and it ain't good for him either

[Spurs Homer]

Want to shut this uncle up?

ask him if this means kawhitter is signing with toronto?

ask him to advise kawhitter to re-sign right now!

[RC_Drunkford]

hopefully this motivates derozan to stop sucking and to improve his game *cough *get a 3 pt shot *cough ... I like derozan but this needs to light a fire in him .. he's being talked about to this whole week by Toronto fans /media and it ain't good for him either

yeah right, just like Masaij telling him he won't be traded and then trades him a few days after. You mean that kind of fire? He'll be in the jack in the box parking lot crying, not in the gym

[RC_Drunkford]

Cris Carter certainly knows a few things about integrity

[Harry Callahan]

RCD putting things in perspective for CC the Coke man. What a dirtbag.

[daslicer]

ESPN gonna be taking a huge all over Spurs today, starting with First Take. Rachel Nichols will probably have S-Jax on The Jump tomorrow everyone is loving this so much, what a low point for the Spurs

I'm sure as a pathetic #2 bootlicker that you are definitely enjoying this.