Tim had his prime years as alpha dog, then backed his game off later. But he he got his. The real sacrificing didn't come until later.
Kawhi is a late bloomer and was just coming into the second year of his prime. But he's already being asked to sacrifice his game, score in the low 20s, and have his minutes micromanaged. He hasn't gotten his yet. And I don't mean that in the selfish way. I mean that as in being top dog with freedom to go out on the court to truly go head to head against the best, put up big numbers consistently, and not have legs continously cut from under you because the coach doesn't want you to get a big head.
Curry got his. Durant got his. Westbrook got his. Harden got his. On and on. These guys have had there chance to fully spread their wings and as superstars, and not be over managed to death for the sake of someone being in absolute control. Kawhi still wants that chance.
I think the injury frustration is making him realize it can also be gone in an instant, but he's still trapped under Pops thumb.
By 2005 Tim was 29 and already sacrificing for Tony and Manu, so don't try and downplay that at all.. Tim was the best team player and mate probably in NBA history.. KL does not really have to sacrifice much. He needs to get his ass on the court already and do something. Other than nursing a leg injury that does not need surgery..
Did you watch last season? He put up 26 a game and was top 3 MVP candidate. He got his time and shot.. Now he is hurt and only he can end this .. Pop has done nothing wrong with him. He is refusing to play.
Dude, I just said Kawhi is a late bloomer. Tim had already been the top dog on the team since he came in his rookie season in '97-'98. Using your 2005 year, that's 8 years as the alpha. He was ready to share the load. Kawhi hasnt really had chance yet.
Again did you watch last season? Was he not the Alpha and top dog? Was he not top 3 MVP? And how does that relate to the current problem? He won't play?
That's only one year. And he could've easily averaged more if given 2-4 more minutes a game. Maybe he would've been MVP if given the chance to average more pts per game instead of finishing a 3rd in the voting. Maybe he feels like Pop cost him that real chance last year and now he's hurt.
I'm just saying the injury is bringing all these things out because of overall frustration from all angles. It's like having a fight with your wife, then other non related that you've been holding starts coming out.
He might not have said anything but he drew this when pressed about Pop, RC, and LMA:
I’m not worried at all.
It’s challenging for everyone, let’s not forget the fans. When we have won so much the past 20 years it’s hard to watch the team struggle like this. I read our defensive rating in these last three home losses is the worst in the league. Watching last night’s s acking by Teen Wolf and company was the absolute worst way to go into the tough RRT we are facing. Our below .500 road record isn’t going anywhere.
To me the hardest thing is not having a clue if Kawhi is coming back at all. I wish we received updates. If the doctors and trainers don’t have any idea and he’s still in pain....it’s going to be a long summer.
It is not Pop's fault that he is injured. Pop managed his minutes and he came into training camp injured. Pop made sure his ankle was not further damaged in the playoffs last year and he came into camp injured. 2-4 minutes a game more and he might not have made it to the end of last reg season. He can't or won't play. Why anyone would blame Pop for KL not playing this year is not only a mystery it is basically trolling. Leonard is refusing to play. He keeps telling the Spurs he is hurt. His toughness is being questioned.. The team is floundering and he is sitting it out..
I have never said Kawhi shouldn't be playing. I'm not blaming Pop for Kawhi not paying. I'm simply saying the overall situation is bringing out frustration from all aspects. Now Kawhis supermax is in jeopardy, and in his head, he doesn't have an MVP to bring to the bargaining table because his coach micromanages him.
I think Kawhi should give it a go. But I've mentioned before that now this injury may expose him as damaged goods in a supermax year, so he's reluctant to rush back and screw that up.
Pride colours? So, Kawhi thinks they’re gots now?He might not have said anything but he drew this when pressed about Pop, RC, and LMA:
I’m not worried at all.
The Spurs culture has always been praised and rightfully so. This guy has had it made TBH. Learning from a legend in Tim on the court, and other HOF players in Tony and Manu. He won a le and finals MVP very young, largely because Pop pushed him to do more in the Finals. SA has been good to him. Pop has been good to him. His health is the only concern right now. Who knows if he plays this year?
Could Kawhi be faking this injury as a sort of "strike" against Pop and the management team? Thus causing him to be traded where he really wants to play? Because if medical professionals have evaluated him again and again and declared him fit, there's gotta be something going on..
Who knows what to believe. Last time he came back he started experience the same pain as before. I’ve been just thinking he and the team are being extra cautious, but there has been no communication...so who knows. If he was expected to come back after the ASB I’d have thought they’d have something like they have with Rudy.
this team only exists because of the fans, tbh.
PATFO owes us some answers
Pop says fans should ask for their money back, while at the same time consistently sitting players for nationally televised games and screwing over major sponsors.
Answers about what? The mysterious ways Leonard's quad works..
I guess they don’t have any answers and that’s what is concerning. At this point speculation would be nice. Something other than ‘crickets!’
I'm amazed at how little attention and coverage this saga has received. I know Pop predictably scoffed at it when news broke of the discord a few weeks ago, but there's been little response from Buford and somehow none directly from Leonard or anyone in the media.
The lack of follow up is mind boggling. They're all so damn focused on Cavaliers' mess, that apparently the most stable, successful, drama free organization in sports the past 2 decades, having internal strife with their superstar and top 3 player in the league, isn't a gargantuan story? Bizarre.
He said they were gay but meant it in the “happy” way not the man on man penis in butt then in mouth then back in butt then fist in mouth then fist in butt then fist to hand job while penis in butt back to mouth with foot in butt followed by “little person” (pc cuz Pop is there) water gunning body paint on all of them soon followed by Pop wine ting on the whole group just before simultaneous ejaculation washed down with pee and the tears of Kawhi’s childhood left behind at a car wash.
It was not misquoted by David Aldridge... he said what he said in a national telecast. He interviewed RC and that was his report. David Aldridge is not an amateur, he's a pro.. and his statement was not retracted, nor was it denied by RC.
If you want to live in denial... that is you.
Maybe there is nothing going on other than everyone is in the dark about his injury. There is only several hundred millions of dollars at stake. It’s hard to imagine Kawhi isn’t anxious to prove he’s worth th3 max, which he is when healthy.
Well it’s Super Bowl time! Go Spurs!
There’s also been several people, including DA I believe, saying he wanted to leave only for it to be rebuked by RC and Kawhi’s uncle/manager. I don’t deny he said anything, but the interpretation could vary depending on the context. One thing for sure is it’s “challenging” for me as a fan!
So pros don't make mistakes?
RC came out and denied the initial Woj report, so what does that mean? Maybe it means he said his piece and isn't speaking more on it?
We saw a direct quote from RC after that Woj report. Excuse me for not believing something without seeing / hearing from the horses mouth.
It's not a big story because he isn't playing. And Leonard is like a robot he doesn't speak.. But mostly he is not playing. What is there to discuss?
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