RC Buford on Kawhi: “The relationship is challenging”

[TheChillFactor]

Even if it is true RC is an idiot for saying that in public. What does it benefit besides RC's feelings?

Keeping your ing yap shut when you're pissed is Management 101.

[bklynspursfan]

Even if it is true RC is an idiot for saying that in public. What does it benefit besides RC's feelings?

Keeping your ing yap shut when you're pissed is Management 101.

He didn't say it. This was inaccurately reported.

[bklynspursfan]

Now here's a relationship that does appear to be challenging:

According to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd, "James cursed toward at least two team executives" during the late January team meeting in which some players questioned the legitimacy of Kevin Love's illness.

On top of that, Lloyd wrote James has "no relationship" with owner Dan Gilbert or general manager Koby Altman. Gilbert did not renew the contract of former GM David Griffin following the 2016-17 season.

Since then, turmoil has engulfed the organization from top to bottom, with Gilbert reportedly seizing control of basketball operations.

Bleacher Report's Ken Berger previously reported Gilbert is "firmly in charge of basketball decisions once again," while Altman has been stuck in purgatory without a defined role.
"Whereas Griffin would consult with James and keep him informed of major roster decisions, that is no longer happening," Lloyd wrote. "James doesn't trust this front office, and there is no communication now between management and star player."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...mming-national

[Darius Bieber]

Now here's a relationship that does appear to be challenging:




http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...mming-national

SpursTalk is a better source for sports news than Bleacher Report

[bklynspursfan]

SpursTalk is a better source for sports news than Bleacher Report

Maybe read the article? It cited from another piece, I just shared the one from BR. Or would you feel better if it was from Jalen Rose?

[Chris]

It’s hard to have a relationship with someone who’s socially awkward...You can lose count how many times since the Spurs drafted him how teammates, coaches etc all stated how he doesn’t talk/communicate...

Duncan wasn’t about the “superstar” life but he was still a normal person within the team and PATFO...he had great relationships with everyone..or “best friend”.

There’s a lot of assumptions going around but it seems like Kawhi just does his thing..really doesn’t have a friend associated with the team etc. as great a player he is he’s just coming off as a really different cat and the personality is becoming awkward...now add this injury to the equation and it seems it added fuel to the fire. An awkward relationship just got weirder and on top of that there’s a possible big pay raise that’s due in the summer???

He was taught early on never to show any emotion. Some refer to it as "showing your hand." It's something that's hard to unlearn.

[coachmac87]

He was taught early on never to show any emotion. Some refer to it as "showing your hand." It's something that's hard to unlearn.

I dunno. You watch Kawhi SD State videos and he has a different at ude. He would literally talk to Jimmer and clap in his face...

[DAF86]

The basketball season is a tremendous grind... If you want to be an all-time great player your career is a tremendous grind. Who exactly plays a career and is a great player pain-free? Larry bird had back issues long before he ever started missing significant game time. Kobe knee issues for years.. Great players play. They deal with it.

I'm sure Kawhi has played through pain many times in his career, tbh. Including last season.

[UZER]

He was taught early on never to show any emotion. Some refer to it as "showing your hand." It's something that's hard to unlearn.

It's it's "just a game" according to Pop, then why does he bench players showing emotion on the court?

[sasaint]

Even if it is true RC is an idiot for saying that in public. What does it benefit besides RC's feelings?

Keeping your ing yap shut when you're pissed is Management 101.

You should post more often.

[dbreiden83080]

I'm sure Kawhi has played through pain many times in his career, tbh. Including last season.

I am just trying to put this in perspective. He may end up missing an entire calendar year with a leg injury, that has not required surgery. If he needed surgery he would have got it months ago. Tony ripped his leg up, had surgery and made it back faster. So this leg injury needs 1 full year of rehab with no surgery. That does not happen. Ever.. So either he is kind of soft with playing with pain, OR he has one of weirdest debilitating injuries in sports history.. Duncan had a shot knee he played on for years.. Something is not right here...

[acoelho1]

I can't answer the first question without knowing what the actual issue is or how bad it is. I do think there are scenarios where the team would be justified in trading him. But obviously, they have a real shot at a le this year if they can get healthy (and especially if they commit to trading for a better guard).

I've been thinking about value a lot recently. I do think a team like Phoenix would back up the truck for him to the same extent they were willing to do with Irving during the draft. I'm assuming anyone but Booker would be on the table, including the numerous picks the team owns and the ability to get rid of Pau's and/or Patty's contracts. I don't think Boston is likely or desirable as a trade partner.

Something like this: http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y8vs6gdh

with Phoenix' pick and one of the Miami picks being added.

This trade is terrible. No star coming back and unknowns of a draft pick. Kawhi is spurs for life and I haven’t seen anything in the past week to change that. You don’t give up a player like Kawhi. He has made himself into generational type talent. He will be back and be the best player in world. All this chatter noise.

[Chinook]

This trade is terrible. No star coming back and unknowns of a draft pick. Kawhi is spurs for life and I haven’t seen anything in the past week to change that. You don’t give up a player like Kawhi. He has made himself into generational type talent. He will be back and be the best player in world. All this chatter noise.

[MoSpur02]

I am just trying to put this in perspective. He may end up missing an entire calendar year with a leg injury, that has not required surgery. If he needed surgery he would have got it months ago. Tony ripped his leg up, had surgery and made it back faster. So this leg injury needs 1 full year of rehab with no surgery. That does not happen. Ever.. So either he is kind of soft with playing with pain, OR he has one of weirdest debilitating injuries in sports history.. Duncan had a shot knee he played on for years.. Something is not right here...

It’s more mental than physical. He’s had multiple second opinions and has gotten pretty much the same answer from those second opinions.

[Ice009]

It’s more mental than physical. He’s had multiple second opinions and has gotten pretty much the same answer from those second opinions.

Are you a troll? Your other thread you started the other day got deleted. Do you actually know anything, or are you just spitting out stuff you've read online?

[YGWHI]

Are you a troll?

Yes, he is. And a liar.

He said Kawhi "has had multiple second opinions and has gotten pretty much the same answer from those second opinions" That's not true.

[SAGirl]

I am just trying to put this in perspective. He may end up missing an entire calendar year with a leg injury, that has not required surgery. If he needed surgery he would have got it months ago. Tony ripped his leg up, had surgery and made it back faster. So this leg injury needs 1 full year of rehab with no surgery. That does not happen. Ever.. So either he is kind of soft with playing with pain, OR he has one of weirdest debilitating injuries in sports history.. Duncan had a shot knee he played on for years.. Something is not right here...

That injury is extremely concerning. I think Durant fractured a foot, had surgery and refractured that same foot and healed it in time to come back in a single season and this injury is about 3/4 of the season in with a nebulous outlook. I had never seen anything like this, though I don’t go way back. It’s just really worrisome.

[YGWHI]

This trade is terrible. No star coming back and unknowns of a draft pick. Kawhi is spurs for life and I haven’t seen anything in the past week to change that. You don’t give up a player like Kawhi. He has made himself into generational type talent. He will be back and be the best player in world. All this chatter noise.

You lost Chinook after "generational type talent"...He never saw him like a top 2-3 player in the league. But that's Chinook's problem.

Anyway, there are many reasons why I want Kawhi to be a Spur for life but one of them is...Chinook and the other two haters having to deal with Kawhi being the Spurs best player until he retires.

I'll LOVE it.

Chinook just trying to find bigger faults in Kawhi than there are in real life, like he has done since he got here, tbh.

The same guy who said that Kawhi's game and USG% ruined Spurs' role players last season is the same guy who says now "again, though, definitely seems to be affecting the rest of the team poorly right now"

So when Kawhi doesn't play, role players underperforming against good teams...But they play poor too when he plays?

I'd say it tells more about the low-talent level of role players than it does about Kawhi.

It's always Kawhi's fault, right?

[YGWHI]

If it is not hard to understand, why don’t you get it? He was cleared by the Spurs medical staff to return to play. He pulled himself off the court. Again he is refusing to play. Pretty easy.

For some reason Kawhi wanted a 2nd opinion.

[YGWHI]

That injury is extremely concerning. I think Durant fractured a foot, had surgery and refractured that same foot and healed it in time to come back in a single season and this injury is about 3/4 of the season in with a nebulous outlook. I had never seen anything like this, though I don’t go way back. It’s just really worrisome.

I wasted my time trying to explain him that not every injury looks the same but he can't get it. Weird guy.

[YGWHI]

It was interesting Jabari was very clear it doesn't mean that Kawhi wants out and that all those rumors are unfounded. (if you look at the tweet, there is follow up).

But he's definitely a reserved person and this rehab has been very difficult.

That's what both parts, Pop/RC and Kawhi's camp, have said. The injury is the issue.

All the drama about Kawhi wants a better roster or he wants out are unfounded.

I think the Tim comment implies things Timmy did as a leader and other intangibles off the court that Kiwi doesn't have.

People here are trying to read too much.

Jabari Young was very clear in his Tim's comment. It had nothing to do with Kawhi's teammates.

Young was talking about how Tim being the Spurs best friend was obviously RC/Pop best friend. Tim and Pop were like family, Kawhi doesn't have that relationship with Pop and doesn't want to have either...And PATFO would alienate him if they want the same relationship they have with Tim.

[SAGirl]

That's what both parts, Pop/RC and Kawhi's camp, have said. The injury is the issue.

All the drama about Kawhi wants a better roster or he wants out are unfounded.


People here are trying to read too much.

Jabari Young was very clear in his Tim's comment. It had nothing to do with Kawhi's teammates.

Young was talking about how Tim being the Spurs best friend was obviously RC/Pop best friend. Tim and Pop were like family, Kawhi doesn't have that relationship with Pop and doesn't want to have either...And PATFO would alienate him if they want the same relationship they have with Tim.

Goid interpretation and good points.

Its just a shame for all involved his season has gone like this. I am still hoping he comes back this season but in general I am worried for him and the team.

[YGWHI]

I am still hoping he comes back this season

I don't.
Some people here say the Spurs are fine without Kawhi this season, they say the Spurs should trade him for some 1st round pick in the draft... I'd say just sit him the rest of the season and let his quad to heal properly.

I am worried for him and the team.

I'm not.

Both parts together build a contender but Kawhi will be great in SA, Utah, Phoenix, Denver, everywhere. And the Spurs are always the Spurs. Don't worry for them.

[MoSpur02]

Are you a troll? Your other thread you started the other day got deleted. Do you actually know anything, or are you just spitting out stuff you've read online?

CALling me a troll. Just because someone on here gives different views, opinions, or in my case facts means I or anyone else is a troll. Not sure why my thread was deleted and really don’t care. I can’t and won’t reveal my sources because that person would be in serious trouble. Kawhi has been cleared to play. He has gotten second opinions and has been told the same thing the Spurs physicians told him. However, he is the one not choosing to play. It’s a mental thing from what I have been told.

[MoSpur02]

Yes, he is. And a liar.

He said Kawhi "has had multiple second opinions and has gotten pretty much the same answer from those second opinions" That's not true.

I have absolutely no reason to lie. I don’t care if you or anyone else believes me. Don’t wanna believe me? That’s just fine with me. Honestly. It doesn’t matter at all to me.