Do We Even Want Kawhi Back?

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Presuming this is serious, the Spurs should of course want Kawhi back.

He is not unflawed like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili or Tony Parker. Those days are over.

He is flawed like David Robinson but in precisely the opposite way.

Robinson was cerebral and played ball only because it was expected of a soul like him upon whom such athletic gifts had been conferred. It was a cross to bear (so to speak) but nothing he would have wanted, or would even have occurred to him, all things being equal.

Kawhi, on the other hand, is not cerebral (to belabor the obvious). Also, unlike Robinson, he craves athletic success and fears it may be his only exceptional quality. However, he lacks the socialization skills that the Big Three before him expressed so effortlessly and naturally. Therefore, "team" is a harder concept for him to master.

Bottom line, Kawhi is a much, much better option than any other option the Spurs will have for the foreseeable future. They will attempt to hold on to him unless and until it becomes obvious that the effort is futile.

Thanks, Dr. Freud

[cjw]

I didn’t even have to look at the author ... only the le ... before knowing this clown is the OP

[Play Boban]

Don’t forget we made it to the WCF last year without Kawhi. We didn’t need him to beat Houston and we wouldn’t have beaten Golden State with or without him, so what difference does it make?

[sasaint]

I have been a big fan of Kawhi's since his rookie campaign. I thought he could be great, and on the court he has become great. But I personally feel disappointed by Kawhi at this point. I believe professional athletes do owe something to the fans who are the basis of their livelihood. I think he owed his fans something other than silence. I am pretty tired of the alibi that Kawhi is very introverted or lacking in social skills. I think those are inadequate excuses for his complete silence. I can only surmise from his months of silence in all of this that he really isn't interested in being the leader of this team or the face of this franchise - as the team had planned. Whether the Spurs re-sign Kawhi or not, I hope that the team can find a real leader to fill the void left by Tim that is growing into a vacuum. THAT is at the heart of the Spurs' current malaise. At this point I am no more committed to Kawhi than he is to his legion of fans or the Spurs organization.

Another poster suggested that "team" was a difficult concept for such an introverted athlete as Kawhi to really internalize. I question whether such a character (aside from basketball skill) is a strong foundation for a sports team to build on - especially the Spurs. He is a superstar talent but lacks other aspects of a true superstar.

[bic50]

I have been a big fan of Kawhi's since his rookie campaign. I thought he could be great, and on the court he has become great. But I personally feel disappointed by Kawhi at this point. I believe professional athletes do owe something to the fans who are the basis of their livelihood. I think he owed his fans something other than silence. I am pretty tired of the alibi that Kawhi is very introverted or lacking in social skills. I think those are inadequate excuses for his complete silence. I can only surmise from his months of silence in all of this that he really isn't interested in being the leader of this team or the face of this franchise - as the team had planned. Whether the Spurs re-sign Kawhi or not, I hope that the team can find a real leader to fill the void left by Tim that is growing into a vacuum. THAT is at the heart of the Spurs' current malaise. At this point I am no more committed to Kawhi than he is to his legion of fans or the Spurs organization.

Another poster suggested that "team" was a difficult concept for such an introverted athlete as Kawhi to really internalize. I question whether such a character (aside from basketball skill) is a strong foundation for a sports team to build on - especially the Spurs. He is a superstar talent but lacks other aspects of a true superstar.

Play Boban 2.0

[jimbo]

Kawhi, on the other hand, is not cerebral (to belabor the obvious). Also, unlike Robinson, he craves athletic success and fears it may be his only exceptional quality. However, he lacks the socialization skills that the Big Three before him expressed so effortlessly and naturally. Therefore, "team" is a harder concept for him to master.

That's a really long way of saying "Kawhi can't wipe his own ass"

[George Gervin's Afro]

Yes.. yes we do. He's playing his last games as a Spur

[Raven]

whatever

[monkeypunk]

Anyone saying that they don't want Kawhi back this season is one of the following:

1. Not a Spurs fan
2. Does not actually watch basketball
3. Is trolling
4. Is dumber than Ducks

[pad300]

The team is playing well without him and given all the drama he’s caused the Spurs this year with his “injury”, word around the locker room is that a number of players are pissed at him and wanted him traded at the deadline. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team chemistry go to sheet once he’s back and players quit trying since Kawhi sat out the entire regular season because “he’s above all that.” A lot of the veterans are especially angry because Kawhi gets a lot of accolades without putting in the work.

Just something for all you wankers getting massive boners about Kawhi’s potential return need to consider. We’ve played better without him this year than with him. We started a perfect 4-0 without this cancerous “superstar.” But, hey, isn’t it great we have a Carmelo on our team tbh?

yep, yep...link?

OP probably doesn’t have any. Yes full of crap per par.

Someone forgot to switch their Troll account...

[BillMc]

Someone forgot to switch their Troll account...

Well spotted.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

This trolling isn't even funny anymore. There should be a limit to the number of troll threads allowed by a single poster.







Lame.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

This trolling isn't even funny anymore. There should be a limit to the number of troll threads allowed by a single poster.







Lame.

Oh wait....Boban's never actually been funny....my bad.

[sananspursfan21]

There’s a number of cringeworthy quotes in the OP, nothing to see here.

[Play Boban]

Someone forgot to switch their Troll account...

Was wondering if anyone would notice that

[BillMc]

Decent chance OP is actually Kevin Durant.

[Dre_7]

Decent chance OP is actually Kevin Durant.

[SAGirl]

Someone forgot to switch their Troll account...

I have wondered who is this PlayBoban.. No doubt a troll but who? I have my su ions and will keep them to myself.

[SAGirl]

I have been a big fan of Kawhi's since his rookie campaign. I thought he could be great, and on the court he has become great. But I personally feel disappointed by Kawhi at this point. I believe professional athletes do owe something to the fans who are the basis of their livelihood. I think he owed his fans something other than silence. I am pretty tired of the alibi that Kawhi is very introverted or lacking in social skills. I think those are inadequate excuses for his complete silence. I can only surmise from his months of silence in all of this that he really isn't interested in being the leader of this team or the face of this franchise - as the team had planned. Whether the Spurs re-sign Kawhi or not, I hope that the team can find a real leader to fill the void left by Tim that is growing into a vacuum. THAT is at the heart of the Spurs' current malaise. At this point I am no more committed to Kawhi than he is to his legion of fans or the Spurs organization.

Another poster suggested that "team" was a difficult concept for such an introverted athlete as Kawhi to really internalize. I question whether such a character (aside from basketball skill) is a strong foundation for a sports team to build on - especially the Spurs. He is a superstar talent but lacks other aspects of a true superstar.

You'd still want him back though. You have to accept him like he is or risk alienating him more than he already is isolated by his natural aloof nature, like Jabari said.

In terms of finding their spirit animal (leadership in personality) I think that guy will emerge in time and It won't necessarily be the best player on the team, but at least one of their best guys. It might be Dijon in the future. He's not it right now bc he's too young and still trying to get better himself to be that guy in a veteran team.

It might be someone else already in the team who is coming into his own as they get more mature or it might be someone else who will join them in the future. The team's spirit animal isn't always the best player.

Currently it's Paddy. (With strong impact from vocal guys like Manu, Tony, and Pau). In the future it might be someone else.

Kiwi will always bring his game and great effort and that has to be enough for the Spurs.

[rjv]

Decent chance OP is actually Kevin Durant.

or a bot.

[sasaint]

You'd still want him back though. You have to accept him like he is or risk alienating him more than he already is isolated by his natural aloof nature, like Jabari said.

In terms of finding their spirit animal (leadership in personality) I think that guy will emerge in time and It won't necessarily be the best player on the team, but at least one of their best guys. It might be Dijon in the future. He's not it right now bc he's too young and still trying to get better himself to be that guy in a veteran team.

It might be someone else already in the team who is coming into his own as they get more mature or it might be someone else who will join them in the future. The team's spirit animal isn't always the best player.

Currently it's Paddy. (With strong impact from vocal guys like Manu, Tony, and Pau). In the future it might be someone else.

Kiwi will always bring his game and great effort and that has to be enough for the Spurs.

I believe there are two aspects to being a "spirit animal": on court performance and leadership. To be the "spirit animal", it is not essential that a player be the team's best player on the court, however, he must certainly be one of team's better players. Patty's on-court deficiencies preclude his being the Spurs spirit animal, although he may be the closest thing we currently have. Manu is more of a player-coach. Tony really doesn't fill the bill, and LMA obviously lacks the will and/or the character traits. Pau - nah. I think there is a leadership "committee", but that appears to be a poorly functioning subs ute for a spirit animal. I honestly think there is a kind of generation gap that complicates the issue.

In a perfect world, I absolutely want Kawhi, the player, back. However I am in the same quandary as you (and others) over the cost. Supermax? At this point that seems very risky. Moreover retaining both Kawhi and LMA poses issues over which I have expressed concern for more than a calendar year. It also means that trying to find a FA spirit animal for our expensive little tribe is an extremely high hurdle. Thus, we turn to young guys who might develop. If such a prospect is a current Spur, it is almost certainly Dijon (White would be an unknown dark horse). We are looking at another season or two for such development.

[Mr. Body]

Like Kawhi?

Does that explain what a nancy little baby he's been?

[SAGirl]

I believe there are two aspects to being a "spirit animal": on court performance and leadership. To be the "spirit animal", it is not essential that a player be the team's best player on the court, however, he must certainly be one of team's better players. Patty's on-court deficiencies preclude his being the Spurs spirit animal, although he may be the closest thing we currently have. Manu is more of a player-coach. Tony really doesn't fill the bill, and LMA obviously lacks the will and/or the character traits. Pau - nah. I think there is a leadership "committee", but that appears to be a poorly functioning subs ute for a spirit animal. I honestly think there is a kind of generation gap that complicates the issue.

In a perfect world, I absolutely want Kawhi, the player, back. However I am in the same quandary as you (and others) over the cost. Supermax? At this point that seems very risky. Moreover retaining both Kawhi and LMA poses issues over which I have expressed concern for more than a calendar year. It also means that trying to find a FA spirit animal for our expensive little tribe is an extremely high hurdle. Thus, we turn to young guys who might develop. If such a prospect is a current Spur, it is almost certainly Dijon (White would be an unknown dark horse). We are looking at another season or two for such development.

I agree with you 100% Paddy is not ideal. There is also a big generation gap. He just simply occupies a current generational vacuum. You can't force these things, when passing the baton. You give opportunities to the young guys and they either step up or they don't. It might be too early to say much more than there is potential leadership there. Playoff performance matters, stepping up in big games matters, getting better through the season matters, being reliable matters, earning respect from teammates matters. I like what I see in Dijon so we just have to see how he develops.

[sasaint]

I agree with you 100% Paddy is not ideal. There is also a big generation gap. He just simply occupies a current generational vacuum. You can't force these things, when passing the baton. You give opportunities to the young guys and they either step up or they don't. It might be too early to say much more than there is potential leadership there. Playoff performance matters, stepping up in big games matters, getting better through the season matters, being reliable matters, earning respect from teammates matters. I like what I see in Dijon so we just have to see how he develops.

The problem with waiting on a young guy on the current roster to become the spirit animal is, first of all, uncertainty. Secondly, time passes for both Kawhi and LMA (both, or whichever remains with us. [If both depart the pressure is completely released.]). I don't believe we win it all without a spirit animal. That is tremendous pressure on the organization. Gamble on Dijon or go get a guy who is already capable? It just isn't feasible to do both.

I think Kawhi's absence/silence has really crystallized the leadership crisis this team faces - at least for me. Tbh, (consciously or unconsciously) I had bought into the company line that this was Kawhi's team. But he has pretty much killed that notion in my mind. He has rejected that office. But how would he react to importing a spirit animal to fill the vacated office?

This will be a bigger offseason (either by action or inaction) than even the last couple. A real watershed moment.

[SAGirl]

The problem with waiting on a young guy on the current roster to become the spirit animal is, first of all, uncertainty. Secondly, time passes for both Kawhi and LMA (both, or whichever remains with us. [If both depart the pressure is completely released.]). I don't believe we win it all without a spirit animal. That is tremendous pressure on the organization. Gamble on Dijon or go get a guy who is already capable? It just isn't feasible to do both.

I think Kawhi's absence/silence has really crystallized the leadership crisis this team faces - at least for me. Tbh, (consciously or unconsciously) I had bought into the company line that this was Kawhi's team. But he has pretty much killed that notion in my mind. He has rejected that office. But how would he react to importing a spirit animal to fill the vacated office?

This will be a bigger offseason (either by action or inaction) than even the last couple. A real watershed moment.

This is a point that I suspect they also struggle with. They pushed Kawhi to be that leader, but he's 26 and has been the best player in the team for a couple of years now prior to this one (maybe more) so if him not taking ownership of the team hasn't happened already, it's safe to say that this is far as he goes.

Retirement from players such as Timmy D usually rock franchises to their deep core, and the Spurs managed as well as they could. They were bound to hit some rocky coasts navigating past Timmy's era and this summer is going to be one it seems.

I wouldn't assume much from Kiwi's silence. I have accepted it as him avoiding the media, which he doesn't want to speak to even in his best moments, so I expect that in his worst (when he's injured and having doubts about everyone/everything/every treatment and physical therapy that hasn't worked/ and when he's frustrated) he would not want to speak to them either. At this point, I only expect him to say anything when he's ready to play like it was earlier in the season. For weeks we didn't have any updates whatsoever until he said that he was getting ready to get back and play (even then he was very cryptic when asked about his injury but that is his right).

This has been a nice chat. I still hope for the best, both that he returns and that Dijon and others step up the rest of the season.