[Roadtrip635]

Originally posted on 04/16/2018:

Cincy, he's definitely only focused on getting a SuperMax contract next year. He won't risk playing. But the difference between him and Thomas is that Thomas had hip surgery. Leonard has an unspecified quad injury. WTF is that?

He's refusing to play so he doesn't get hurt, but this isn't like some college football stud not playing a bowl game so he doesn't risk his livelihood.

Leonard is already under contract. He's being paid to play, but he won't do it. Totally selfish. No warrior mentality at all.

The quad injury is actually the quad tendon, tendinopathy. It can vary from slight swelling to chronic pain to degradation of the tendon and tissue which can lead to complete tendon rupture. He's been cleared by doctors, but then the pain and condition returns. The Spurs and Kawhi have consulted all the leading tendon specialists and have tried all types of treatments from simple rest to all types of different injections, but the condition returns.

It seems out of character for Kawhi to sit out if it was just simple pain tolerance, the condition could lead to the tendon basically shredding itself before rupturing. I think the frustrating part for everyone is that he can workout for awhile and seem healthy, but then the condition comes back and none of the doctors have been able to find a treatment or way to prevent it from returning. The real worry for Kawhi is the tendon may never be able to hold up under the extended rigors required by a professional athlete.

The smart thing is for him not to play right now and rehab instead of risking making it even worse. At the very least, he should be at the games, supporting his team even if it is from the bench. It could end up being a big risk for the Spurs or any team to sign him to big money. He could pass any physical medical exam, workout/ play for a couple weeks or months and have the condition return or outright blow the tendon. Hopefully, the tendon fully recovers, but right now, no one really knows.