Alrighr LJ, let’s hear it...

[TheRemix]

Such a strange situation. Its been a year and I don't really care that kawhi is gone. Sure he would've made the team a lot better but oh well we just gotta move on. The front office know how to scout talent so we'll get back to le contention someday. Just still curious on how this all came to fruition. I know kawhi doesn't have the best communication skills but did the spurs really mess up that bad? Really hope we get the full story

[edgar]

Could Kawhi come back this summer?

[RC_Drunkford]

maybe that person isn't 'fireable'.

So not RC.

According to Kori’s source, not Pop or the players either.

According to MoSpur02’s source, not Holt too.

Who else?

That's what I'm saying. Who else besides the owners is not fireable? I could understand not wanting to fire Pop or RC, but who else is untouchable in the organisation?

[rjv]

That's what I'm saying. Who else besides the owners is not fireable? I could understand not wanting to fire Pop or RC, but who else is untouchable in the organisation?

any former player would be unfireable as well.

[RC_Drunkford]

true, but that are only D-Rob, Timmy and Sean

https://www.nba.com/spurs/bios/index

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/San-Antonio-Spurs/26/staff-members

here's a list of names. Take your guess

[DPG21920]

Here's my take on the story ...

From what I understand (and I'm not saying this is fact, just what I was told), Kawhi got his feelings hurt because someone in the organization (not a player, not Pop) said in not-so-kind words that he was being a wimp about the injury. Kawhi wasn't that riled up about it, but was offended. Mentioned it to his Uncle, and Kawhi's group then got Kawhi really riled up about it (saying he was being disrespected, not appreciated, Spurs were too controlling, Kawhi wasn't having input on player signings, etc.) Side note: I believe that Kawhi really only cares about playing basketball, but he trusts his advisors completely, when maybe they are just looking out for their own best interest not necessarily his.

At that point, anything the Spurs did or said to Kawhi was met with resistance by the group and blown out of proportion by the media. (For example, when Tony talked about Kawhi's injury, that was actually a comment in support of Kawhi -- go watch the video again. "Worse" things were said by other players privately, but none of them were trying to slight Kawhi - they were just confused/frustrated by the lack of communication. Kawhi was just trying to rehab and had turned over most communication to his group.) Kawhi was never pissed off at any of his teammates or even really with Pop. He thought he was physically not able to play at that point, and he had become convinced that the grass was greener elsewhere. And he was right... he just won a Championship.

I think that communication could have been a lot better on both sides, and I think Kawhi could have done a lot more to improve that communication. I also think he could have played more than those 9 games, and if he really couldn't, he should have been sitting behind the bench in support of his teammates. But I'm not one of the many doctors he consulted, so what do I know?

Do I think he will stay in Toronto? Probably not. He's probably very happy there (especially right now), but again, "coming home" to California is a big appeal to him and the group.

Disclaimer: There's more to the story but this is the beginning of it, and timvp has some insight on that info that he may or may not ever share.

That seems to matchup close to what I know - hence my analogy. The group wanted and had influence over Kawhi and they had plans for a while. They took what would otherwise be something to be miffed over but ultimately worked through as an excuse to move forward with their already thought out plans.

They wanted to cheat on their spouse already, but didn’t have a reason to. Once the spouse mad them “mad”, they ran out and cheated since it was already what they wanted all along.

Thanks for sharing.

[Keepin' it real]

So not RC.

According to Kori’s source, not Pop or the players either.

According to MoSpur02’s source, not Holt too.

Who else?

So you're saying maybe it was the guy who pours cheese on the nachos???

[DPG21920]

No way he'd get worked up if the guy who pours cheese on the nachos said something, so clearly it had to be RC, medical staff or more likely, ownership wondering why the are they paying him $20M to take a year off?

It’s very possible that it was RC who played “bad cop” here, but I don’t know that for sure.

[TheRemix]

That seems to matchup close to what I know - hence my analogy. The group wanted and had influence over Kawhi and they had plans for a while. They took what would otherwise be something to be miffed over but ultimately worked through as an excuse to move forward with their already thought out plans.

They wanted to cheat on their spouse already, but didn’t have a reason to. Once the spouse mad them “mad”, they ran out and cheated since it was already what they wanted all along.

Thanks for sharing.

Seems plausible

[rjv]

true, but that are only D-Rob, Timmy and Sean

https://www.nba.com/spurs/bios/index

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/San-Antonio-Spurs/26/staff-members

here's a list of names. Take your guess

well, it could have been a then current player but now former play as well (as in many or tony) but i don't think that it was either.

[RC_Drunkford]

well, it could have been a then current player but now former play as well (as in many or tony) but i don't think that it was either.

doubt that, Manu and Tony were on the team back then and everybody is saying that he didn't have any problems with team mates. Apparently he said in the player meeting he would do anything for his team mates but not for the organization, that's what ESPN reported. Not sure how true that is either, but if it's not Pop, not Holt and not a player who was on the team and a person that can't be fired than the list would have to be narrowed down to RC, D-Rob, Timmy or Will Sevening (been here 21 years, but they could fire in him in theory I guess)

[TDomination]

So not RC.

According to Kori’s source, not Pop or the players either.

According to MoSpur02’s source, not Holt too.

Who else?

An assistant coach maybe? Messina? who knows

[lmbebo]

if former player, Gervin? Bowen?

[phxspurfan]

5 pages and no answers

[TDomination]

Could Kawhi come back this summer?

Yes. Kawhis mom still owns a home here so he will be back to visit her here this summer.
When Kawhi does come and visit her, he will go into her house and when he enters, Pop will be waiting in the living room with a dozen roses. And Pop will stand up and say to Kawhi "if you will have me, i would love to be your coach again"

[Gamechannel]

So basically he just needed someone whose not even in a position of actual power to say something to him/his group and that's all it took? I call BS on this.

I think he just didn't like the way Spurs ran a tight ship with the power structure the way it was. He wanted more influence and power for his entourage and he didn't get any.

[rjv]

doubt that, Manu and Tony were on the team back then and everybody is saying that he didn't have any problems with team mates. Apparently he said in the player meeting he would do anything for his team mates but not for the organization, that's what ESPN reported. Not sure how true that is either, but if it's not Pop, not Holt and not a player who was on the team and a person that can't be fired than the list would have to be narrowed down to RC, D-Rob, Timmy or Will Sevening (been here 21 years, but they could fire in him in theory I guess)

seems like a moot point anyway.

[TheChillFactor]

Y’all are a bunch of ing gots. I ride with Tim, Tony, Manu, David and Pop. Kawhi. Dude wins one chip and “i just hope Tim wasnt involved!” Gtfoh you pussies

[Bellboy]

So peter holt or RC Buford called him a pussy?

No RC had been drinking again and actually said “ Kawhi you’re the damned MVP “ but slurring his words so much it sounded like “ Kawhi you’re a damn pussy “. To quote the Warden in Cool Hand Luke “ What we had here was a failure to communicate “

[Dex]

5 pages and no answers

Try reading the thread.

[wildbill2u]

Manu gets a pass because he's a ing warrior who played injured many times, including with a broken elbow during the 2011 playoffs, unlike a certain asshole who wouldn't play with a sore quad.

[BlackAndWhite]

How do you have an idea that people within the organization monitor this place? It's a relatively small place compared to the other online spurs fanbase communities.

[Barfunk]

Y’all are a bunch of ing gots. I ride with Tim, Tony, Manu, David and Pop. Kawhi. Dude wins one chip and “i just hope Tim wasnt involved!” Gtfoh you pussies

[BillMc]

So not RC.

According to Kori’s source, not Pop or the players either.

According to MoSpur02’s source, not Holt too.

Who else?

Ex-player? (Tim, D-Rob, to a lesser extent Ice, are the only ones who really still matter). Barring that I'm blaming the Coyote for hurting Nephew's teenage-girl-like feelings.

[kjhip1]

How do you have an idea that people within the organization monitor this place? It's a relatively small place compared to the other online spurs fanbase communities.

Did you see the story of when LJ got plagiarized by a Ex- College/NBA Assistant coach who wrote column for ESPN? I would think this site definitely has its share of visitors from sports media and Spurs FO staff/players