WTF is Up With Kawhi Leonard?

[JayDr3am]

leonard over lebron

[cincinnatikid513]

the only thing i can think of is kawhi is worried if he comes back and isn't the same he's going to cost himself a ton of money in a contract, kind of like thomas for boston he got hurt and then he came back wasn't nearly as good now he's a free agent who wants a max contract he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal, think kawhi wanted to play it safe wait til off season and sign a huge extension

[slayer14]

This explains a lot he saw his dad get murdered when he was young maybe that is way he is so awkward,

[JIBBBY]

leonard over lebron

I would today because he's younger and has a longer career left in him.. Leonard probably will be as good as Lebron next year also if he comes in healthy.. Leonard was balling big time before the injury.. Starting all star caliber player for sure. He plays at both ends of the floor as well.. Complete player..

[JIBBBY]

the only thing i can think of is kawhi is worried if he comes back and isn't the same he's going to cost himself a ton of money in a contract, kind of like thomas for boston he got hurt and then he came back wasn't nearly as good now he's a free agent who wants a max contract he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal, think kawhi wanted to play it safe wait til off season and sign a huge extension

That make perfect sense... Probably a smart financial move on his part as well... His reputation takes a hit but his bank account doesn't... You could be on to something here..

[IBetYou]

Maybe it is 1 of those things where a team sees you have certain assets and they want to make sure they get some of those assets in return. Similar to when the Celts had the Nets picks and it was difficult to trade because teams were insisting 1 of those picks had to be in the deal.

But Leonard only has 1yr left on his deal and recent history suggests you don't net as much as you used to in that spot. Maybe the Celts would deal 1 for Leonard but definitely not both. Even 1 I think is steep considering Celts would also have to get rid of 1 of Hayward/Horford (either in that deal or another deal) to make it work cap wise.

If they got Kawhi for Hayward/Rozier/Kings pick it wouldn't shock me, that's a nice haul for a guy with 1 foot out the door. Although the optics of dealing a guy they just netted in a FA sweepstakes would not be good.

The Kings pick was last summer -they used it on Tatum. They wont trade Leonard for someone like Hayward. They will swallow their pride and make things work if they don't get a reasonable offer for what could be the best player in the league next season.

See what they did with Aldridge when they couldn't get anything fair last summer.

[The Giant]

This explains a lot he saw his dad get murdered when he was young maybe that is way he is so awkward,

I never knew that.

He watched his dad get murdered, and then played basketball the next day.

That's even more impressive than the Brett Favre story.

[JayDr3am]

yeah his story is amazing

[Harry N. Lloyd]

the only thing i can think of is kawhi is worried if he comes back and isn't the same he's going to cost himself a ton of money in a contract, kind of like thomas for boston he got hurt and then he came back wasn't nearly as good now he's a free agent who wants a max contract he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal, think kawhi wanted to play it safe wait til off season and sign a huge extension

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.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Bookmaker had a prop

Will Kawhi Leonard be on the San Antonio Spurs roster for the start of 2018-19 season?

Yes -400
No +280

They took it off the board now.

I hammered No.

Just out of principle alone... Pop won't stand for what Kawhi did to the team....

Guy is 100% healthy.

As you clearly see... San Antonio isn't even a playoff team without him. Team is old. Leonard wants to be somewhere else. How can you coach a player for letting you down like that? Very surprised Bookmaker had it at No +280

Giving money away.

What a dick move. Fk this guy.

[cincinnatikid513]

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.

yah i've very shocked by the whole thing as well i'm a big fan of pop who i think is the goat when it comes to nba coaching guy has reached the playoffs 21 straight years incredible, i wonder what spurs will do in the offseason if they trade him they won't get as much for him since he only has 1 year left a team could worry he would leave after the next season it's a big mess

[Roadtrip635]

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.

[Harry N. Lloyd]

Come on, stop making excuses. This dude doesn't even come to the games to be with his teammates. Selfish quitter.

[JIBBBY]

Leonard did hold the Spurs hostage this year and the Spurs are still a playoff team.. That's not cool when I think about it... I understand his financial reasons but he got paid this year to do a job and should have earned his pay. He should be playing now..

This guy is lacking dignity and class.. Fock him. Maybe I don't want him on the Lakers after all..

Willis Reed played injured and was all about team... RSPK!!!

[The Giant]

My sources are telling me Kawhi might very well be a Clipper next season.

Hopefully his quad tendon will be in good shape opening night.

[Roadtrip635]

Leonard did hold the Spurs hostage this year and the Spurs are still a playoff team.. That's not cool when I think about it... I understand his financial reasons but he got paid this year to do a job and should have earned his pay. He should be playing now..

This guy is lacking dignity and class.. Fock him. Maybe I don't want him on the Lakers after all..

Willis Reed played injured and was all about team... RSPK!!!

That was game 7 of the NBA Finals, I'm sure Kawhi would have come back for a game 7 too. Kawhi came back to the game last year after twisting his already sprained ankle against the Dubs before being pulled by the medical staff.

Kawhi should absolutely, at least be on the bench supporting his team. It is kinda chicken shite that he isn't, but some inspiration and 4 pts isn't going to get the Spurs past the Dubs this season.

[cincinnatikid513]

My sources are telling me Kawhi might very well be a Clipper next season.

Hopefully his quad tendon will be in good shape opening night.

don't look for kawhi leonard in a western conference uniform other than the spurs next year he will have to wait til season after ,

the gregg popovich rule

Leonard will not be allowed to make a switch to a Western rival due to one big Gregg Popovich rule.
It’s one of Popovich’s cardinal rules not to help Western Conference rivals