Woj: Kawhi Back in SA Working Out with Team; Spurs Expecting a March Return

[MannyIsGod]

heh... soon as the team won against a playoff team on the road... Kiwi said... hmmmm maybe we have a chance if I get back.


Realistically though, what happened is that the team and him had a target for him to be back for real after the ASB and he missed it, prompting huge disappointment from Pop and thus he made the statements he made to the media that he wasn't expecting him back this season. Pop also had to get the other guys on the team ready to make a push in the middle of a really strong schedule if they wanted to make the playoffs.

Kiwi's camp meantime was leaking through Jabari Young that he was still trying to play this season and Jabari had said, he'd look at an early March return before proclaiming Kawhi as not returning.

The good news is that he finished whatever he was doing in NY and is back with the team in SA.

Nah, what happened was Pop put the pressure on his camp by going to the media. Now Kawhi is back. I think Pop is tired of being ed around a bit because he's never had to deal with this from a star on the team and had to remind them that ultimately Kawhi doesn't have as much leverage as they probably thought. Especially if he wants a supermax. LA is nice, but I'm not sure they want to give up that much money to get there.

[marinoman]

If that is true... I hope the team is still in playoff contention by then. They have a small margin for error.

And not the 7 or 8 seed either

[BillMc]

5 was awful. 6 was pretty good IMO. I honestly think 6 was better than 4, maybe even 3. 1, and 2 are definitely the best.

This.

I liked 6 and Creed better than 4 and the dreadful 5. It's a really strong series with only 5 being outright bad.

[Russ]

Nah, what happened was Pop put the pressure on his camp by going to the media.

Pop was signaling that he didn't expect (or care if) Kawhi came back.

Pop was using the last desperate trick in the coaching handbook, used by Gene Hackman on his star player in "Hoosiers" as Hackman turned his back and walked away:

I can tell you this: I don't care if you play on the team or not.

That always gets the star's attention.

[daslicer]

Some positive news.

[hater]

I hope he's actually healthy and not just doing this because of all the negative press. I thought that chronic tendinopathy took a long time to heal, like possibly even years.

Good analytic post. Thats how I think as well

[daslicer]

The last time a superstar returned to the NBA late in March:

[spurraider21]

[Play Boban]

We’re third in the West without him, and would be third in the West with him. NON-FACTOR.

[BillMc]

Woj with a little more detail. Says late March.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=22589549

[Russ]

The last time a superstar returned to the NBA late in March:

Unfortunately, it didn't end well for Jordan or the Bulls.

But Jordan had been out (playing baseball) for two years.

Kawhi wouldn't know a baseball from a grapefruit.

[Play Boban]

This front-running SOB. He wants to play in the playoffs after not putting in the time during the season. En led!

[Play Boban]

Unfortunately, it didn't end well for Jordan or the Bulls.

But Jordan had been out (playing baseball) for two years.

Kawhi wouldn't know a baseball from a grapefruit.

Kawhi couldn’t tell a piece of toilet paper from the Mona Lisa tbh. He can’t even wipe his own ass.

[emanueldavidginobili]

late March? I’m going to say he’ll be back March 13th vs. the Magic

[daslicer]

Unfortunately, it didn't end well for Jordan or the Bulls.

But Jordan had been out (playing baseball) for two years.

Kawhi wouldn't know a baseball from a grapefruit.

Bulls overachieved in my eyes when MJ returned that season. Prior to his return they were 34-31 and after he returned they went 13-4 with him. The bulls lost to the Magic but they were not the favorites to win that series. The series however turned out to be very compe ive and it showed the bulls were only 1 piece away from being a le contender again. That 1 piece turned out to be Rodman.

[sasaint]

I honestly don’t care if he’s playing this year. I just want him around the team and present. And hopefully available to media to speak.

If he’s injured; rest. No one will begrudge him that.

He has been "available" to the media. If he had indicated that he was going to say anything he would have been surrounded by the press. Frankly, the lack of any word at all from Kawhi is the weirdest aspect of this whole episode. It was the thing over which he had real control, and he refused to say anything. I honestly would have been happier if he had said something to dispel rumors about his distance/disaffection with the Spurs than I am about his potential return in March. So late in the season, I am not sure there will be sufficient time for him to re-establish good chemistry with his teammates. His longer term health is more important than a return this late under the prevailing cir stances - especially if he remains a Spur (to be selfish about it).

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Well, well.................March..........



Interesting...............








I may have to dust off the old SPAM pen.

[emanueldavidginobili]

When and if Kawhi tells the Spurs he’s ready to play, I hope he’s ready to play 30 MPG. That’s BS limit restriction when he came back was terrible. Never could get in a rhythm and rotations were wacky.

[SAGirl]

If it's late March... then he will have between 5-10 games left on the season to get acclimated and get some rhythm with teammates. Cutting it really close, but I'd still play him if I am coach (provided there is no risk whatsoever of a recurrence, bc after him being out almost all season, why risk a recurrence that late?)

[Dex]

March 13th against Orlando definitely seems like the best bet, as long as Kawhi is ready. Obviously needs to get some 5v5 time in, but if his body really is ready to go, I wouldn't expect much.

3/23 is against a tough match-up with Utah, and coming back any later than that obviously isn't good for chemistry and continuity.

[SAGirl]

[ducks]

Well, well.................March..........



Interesting...............








I may have to dust off the old SPAM pen.

[NameLess Scrub]

Stop it guys. He's not coming back.....

[ducks]

Stop it guys. He's not coming back.....

Did you say trump would not be president to?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]