Scottie Pippen takes shots at Kawhi

[spurraider21]

This is Pop and the Spurs protecting/standing up for KL...

agreed. i guess i was hoping for more of this, rather than some of the more passive aggressive stuff like we saw after game 1

[DPG21920]

Kawhi is clearly hurt... Tried to come back when doctors cleared him and realized they were wrong for clearing him because he could barely walk after the game... The media love milking this theory that he can play but doesn't want to, nor doesn't want to be around his teammates... They completely ignore the interview when Pop said he is much better off rehabbing than sitting on the bench... But who gives a about facts when the lie is more entertaining? Can't wait to see what they will talk about when Kawhi signs that contract and completely s up everyone on the court next year

So do you blame the Spurs doctors? Or just a freak injury?

[cd98]

Kawhi is clearly hurt... Tried to come back when doctors cleared him and realized they were wrong for clearing him because he could barely walk after the game... The media love milking this theory that he can play but doesn't want to, nor doesn't want to be around his teammates... They completely ignore the interview when Pop said he is much better off rehabbing than sitting on the bench... But who gives a about facts when the lie is more entertaining? Can't wait to see what they will talk about when Kawhi signs that contract and completely s up everyone on the court next year

I'd bet it's not that cut and dry. I'm sure he is experiencing some pain, but also think he could play and play well. I think the Spurs staff thinks if he played, there'd be no risk of future injury, and I think Kawhi disagrees. I think Kawhi wants to be pain free no matter if that pain is on a scale of 10 or 1. In other words, I think if Kawhi were Kobe or MJ, I think he would be playing and probably would've been playing for the last month. That doesn't mean he isn't injured, I just think the Spurs and Kawhi have a difference of opinion on where he needs to be before he can play.

[daslicer]

Jabari going for that Brian Windhorst role. “Kawhi, take me with you.”

Yes Jabari is hoping this is his ticket to get out of SA and go to a bigger market.

[Capt Bringdown]

Durant now has compe ion for the le of the league's biggest -made clown, and his name is Kawhi Leonard.

[YGWHI]

it’s a mutual decision based on how it was handled and as things currently stand. It didn’t have to be this way and is only this way because of how Kawhi has handled this

Only...Because you don't want to consider that Kawhi could truly believe Spurs' doctors mishandled his injured. If he feels that way, many things would make sense.

[Keepin' it real]

I don't think he ever had marketability to begin with. He's a mute who has zero personality and charisma.

An incredibly large mute.

[cd98]

Only...Because you don't want to consider that Kawhi could truly believe Spurs' doctors mishandled his injured. If he feels that way, many things would make sense.

Regardless if the team doctors blew it or not, Kawhi could've stopped the current negativity. It hurts the Spurs a little, but it hurts Kawhi more, I think. But either way, I think this is more of an uncle thing than a Kawhi thing. An experienced agent wouldn't have let things get this far.

[YGWHI]

Yes Jabari is hoping this is his ticket to get out of SA and go to a bigger market.

Kawhi wants out, Jabari wants to go to a bigger market...I doubt it. Everyone wants to leave SA now??

I wonder how you call yourself a Spurs fan if you think SA isn't a market/city that people want to stay in...

[duncan2k5]

This is Pop and the Spurs protecting/standing up for KL...

Or it could be the truth... Just Sunday they reported the team agrees that Kawhi should be in NY rehabbing... They're telling u what is going on, yet u guys prefer to believe the drama

[DPG21920]

Only...Because you don't want to consider that Kawhi could truly believe Spurs' doctors mishandled his injured. If he feels that way, many things would make sense.

No, not really. Be mad at the Spurs doctors all you want. But dont take it out on your teammates. It’s the rule of sports and teammates. Business is business, but those are your brothers. Be there for them even if you are mad at management.

Also, does Kawhi feel a bit foolish that even after he’s been with his own team for months on end and where he himself said he was close that he never got cleared?

Maybe it was not the Spurs doctors and it was just a tricky injury? Hopefully he learned (the hard way) on this one.

[duncan2k5]

So do you blame the Spurs doctors? Or just a freak injury?

It is an injury he has been playing with forever... He is just now deciding to let it heal

[weebo]

1 - be more supportive in public statements, instead of snappy comments from pop saying "ask his group." When asked about him, statements like "we support kawhi in his recovery" etc.
2 - i've been annoyed with the "DNP - Return from Injury Management" language instead of just a more generic "DNP - Quad"

i also think the onus has been on kawhi for a long time to make public statements. i know he's a quiet guy, but when there's been a media storm over this whole thing, he should have made himself available, answer some tough questions, and do HIS part to put the fire out. i also have been critical of his not being at games or not being at the facility with teammates. it's a bad look when his own teammates say like "he doesn't practice with us, he's never around "etc. kawhi is putting the guys in unfair positions because of his reluctance to answer questions

See, this is the part I don't understand. KL is a grown man making millions of dollars playing a game--there should be no need from the Spurs/Pop/teammates to stick up for KL after 9 months of this garbage, especially after the Spurs own medical team cleared him to play--so ya Pop's comment should sting---the DNP should hurt. It's Pop and the Spurs calling this pussy out.

From DRob's bad back, TD's knee, Parker's quad, Manu's everything and on and on...these guys played hurt yet this guy can't even sit behind the bench..FOH

[duncan2k5]

I'd bet it's not that cut and dry. I'm sure he is experiencing some pain, but also think he could play and play well. I think the Spurs staff thinks if he played, there'd be no risk of future injury, and I think Kawhi disagrees. I think Kawhi wants to be pain free no matter if that pain is on a scale of 10 or 1. In other words, I think if Kawhi were Kobe or MJ, I think he would be playing and probably would've been playing for the last month. That doesn't mean he isn't injured, I just think the Spurs and Kawhi have a difference of opinion on where he needs to be before he can play.

Did he play well when he played the 9 games? U guys on here THRASHED him!

[Mugen]

I don't disagree but Pip also refused to enter the game because Phil drew a play up for Toni Kukoc instead of him. Not sure if he's the end all be all for being the ultimate teammate tbh

[YGWHI]

Regardless if the team doctors blew it or not, Kawhi could've stopped the current negativity. It hurts the Spurs a little, but it hurts Kawhi more, I think. But either way, I think this is more of an uncle thing than a Kawhi thing. An experienced agent wouldn't have let things get this far.

I guess there isn't an agent in the world that can convince a player if he feels someone on his team made a mistake that didn't allow him to play in a season where he could have won NBA awards, and could have signed a super-max contract & massive shoe deal.

[duncan2k5]

I'd bet it's not that cut and dry. I'm sure he is experiencing some pain, but also think he could play and play well. I think the Spurs staff thinks if he played, there'd be no risk of future injury, and I think Kawhi disagrees. I think Kawhi wants to be pain free no matter if that pain is on a scale of 10 or 1. In other words, I think if Kawhi were Kobe or MJ, I think he would be playing and probably would've been playing for the last month. That doesn't mean he isn't injured, I just think the Spurs and Kawhi have a difference of opinion on where he needs to be before he can play.

Kawhi was playing with pain for the entire playoffs last year... Don't act as if he has zero tolerance... But no one should be walking the way he was walking after the 9 games and expect to play an entire season... He wasn't just limping... He could barely walk

[DPG21920]

It is an injury he has been playing with forever... He is just now deciding to let it heal

So then you don’t agree with Ygwhi about Kawhi being mad at SA doctors.

[spurraider21]

See, this is the part I don't understand. KL is a grown man making millions of dollars playing a game--there should be no need from the Spurs/Pop/teammates to stick up for KL after 9 months of this garbage, especially after the Spurs own medical team cleared him to play--so ya Pop's comment should sting---the DNP should hurt. It's Pop and the Spurs calling this pussy out.

From DRob's bad back, TD's knee, Parker's quad, Manu's everything and on and on...these guys played hurt yet this guy can't even sit behind the bench..FOH

if the main incentive is the have this team competing for championships, the goal should be to do what you can to reconcile your relationship with kawhi, even if his actions have put you in a tough spot

[duncan2k5]

Regardless if the team doctors blew it or not, Kawhi could've stopped the current negativity. It hurts the Spurs a little, but it hurts Kawhi more, I think. But either way, I think this is more of an uncle thing than a Kawhi thing. An experienced agent wouldn't have let things get this far.

He tried to with his interview, and it didn't stop anything... So why try?

[spurraider21]

i'd prefer

a) the spurs to cave in to kawhi's iness and win championships

than

b) the spurs stay principled, dont do kawhi any favors considering the he's put them through, and kawhi ends up and the door and spurs are mediocre for years to come

[dbreiden83080]

Just trading him away is going to be BAD. Never get full value. Force this clown to play next year.

[DPG21920]

i'd prefer

a) the spurs to cave in to kawhi's iness and win championships

than

b) the spurs stay principled, dont do kawhi any favors considering the he's put them through, and kawhi ends up and the door and spurs are mediocre for years to come

Or c) Hold your grown, gain respect and work things out so that one person isn’t holding you hostage?

[duncan2k5]

So then you don’t agree with Ygwhi about Kawhi being mad at SA doctors.

His issue with the doctors is that they said he was good to go when he clearly wasn't... But it's not as if it was a major issue to where he didn't wanna play for the team... He just went to a better doctor who did see something wrong... Kawhi has always been down for the team and never looked to complain and bail like LA... I'm sure it hurts him that the old guys are being selfish and inconsiderate

[ElNono]

surprised Windhorst wasn't blowing Lebron while Pip was talking...