In the last few days, the San Antonio Spurs have appeared in the headlines in an unusual way – there has been talk of a rift with Kawhi Leonard. What’s behind it? Is there anything to worry about?
There is no franchise in the entire US sport that stands for continuity and a harmonious coexistence like the Spurs – no, not even the Patriots. For over 20 years, Gregg Popovich has been establishing an atmosphere at the Alamo, where most of the players feel at home and where it is clear who is ultimately in charge. Pop. The players obey, whether franchise player or role-player. This has long been the key to their success.
Accordingly, it was not surprising that a player like Tony Parker – a finals MVP, multiple All-Star and a safe Hall-of-Famer – accepted that after over a decade Popovich ordered him on the bench as he did a few days ago:”When Pop sees something that helps the team, I support it,”was the Frenchman’s comment – as expected. That’s the way things work in San Antonio.
Accordingly, however, it was surprising that the Spurs made headlines this week for another reason. On Monday, ESPN published a report on a rift between the franchise and Kawhi Leonard. On Tuesday, Jalen Rose followed suit when he said at “First Take” that Leonard wanted to leave the Spurs.
You can think what you like – Leonard’s camp and the Spurs denied everything, but reporters like Adrian Wojnarowski, Michael C. Wright and Zach Lowe do not publish anything that has not been put to them by at least one source. But that such a story comes up at all is anything but typical for Spurs.
Now, of course, the question arises as to what the whole thing is supposed to mean or what causes Leonard’s supposed frustration. According to Rose, there are two primary factors for this, although at least the first one is not to be doubted: Leonard is annoyed by his rehab.
On the 30th. On September 9th, the Spurs announced that Leonard had injured himself at the quadriceps and that he would miss the preseason (!). This forecast later became the famous “Out indefinitely”, Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season.
He then played nine games before being withdrawn from circulation again last week. Out indefinitely, again. It seems nobody really knows. Of course, that’s frustrating.
“This is difficult for all of us,”said General Manager R. C. Buford to ESPN.”It is difficult for Kawhi and it is also difficult for the team. In the past, we have usually been able to deal with injuries successfully. So far, however, this rehabilitation has not been straightforward and has not followed a linear development”.
Popovich also recently stressed that Leonard’s injury was complicated:”Rehabilitation takes longer than we had expected. If we are going to do something wrong, it is better on the conservative side. We didn’t use Timmy[Duncan] because of a knee injury in the playoffs although he probably could have played. This is nothing new for us.”
But Leonard naturally urges to play again and therefore also consulted physicians outside the track organisation – which is nothing special, so Popovich:”Many players get second opinions and have private physicians or coaches. Second opinions are good. They’re just saying that you’re doing everything you can to get better.”
In the end, however, it’s the team that has to approve the release – and that’s why it has to be the bad cop who, in case of doubt, attracts the player’s resentment “No one wants to come back rather than Kawhi. I think I’m Number Two. We all want him back,”Popovich clarified.”It’s frustrating for all of us.”
The Spurs are currently in a kind of intermediate stage without their best player. On the shoulders of All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, who has set aside his own anger and is playing a tough season, San Antonio has so far had a 31-18 record and shares the third best record in the West with the Timberwolves. On the other hand, no one has any illusions that the Spurs could achieve much in the playoffs without Leonard.
In view of their perfectly rehearsed system and the professionalism of their squad, the regular season spurs have an advantage in almost every game, because they make fewer mistakes than other teams and each team knows and understands its role. However, this advantage shrinks when teams can prepare for the playoffs in a reasonable way and talent becomes even more important.
As a team, the Spurs have fewer upsides than many other playoff teams in the West, even though they can make up for a lot with their system. If Leonard should return fit again soon, this will change – but in times of the “super teams” San Antonio would still have a comparatively (overstatedly formulated) mediocre squad. And that, according to Rose, is the second reason why Leonard has distanced himself a little.
Kawhi is angry because the Spurs were unable to support him with “All-NBA Talent”, said Rose – which is in fact wrong. Aldridge was one of the league’s most sought-after free agents in 2015, although he hasn’t always justified it since. Nevertheless, there are legitimate criticisms of the Spurs’ decisions, especially in the summer of 2017.
Jonathon Simmons was a valuable role-player without value for money, although he was not excessively expensive (3 years, $13.3 million guaranteed in Orlando), but there were lavish new deals for Aldridge, Patty Mills and Pau Gasol, with the latter being pretty overpaid at the age of three and $48 million.
The Spurs already have 98.5 million salaries in their books for the coming season, without including Tony Parker, Kyle Anderson and Davis Bertans’ Cap Holds. The Free Agency 2018 has been completely taken out of it long in advance. Leonard is of course also aware of this.
The Klaw has already been champion and finals MVP in his third season, and in the last two years he was runner-up and third in the MVP election. The man is extremely hungry for success, and even though the Spurs are the symbol of continued success in the NBA, a legitimate superstar is unlikely to be enough to win a title in times of superteams. This will be hard to get in the next few years, though, if Dejounte Murray doesn’t jump a la Kawhi Leonard (who knows…).
So it may well be that Leonard is actually a little angry. As I said: Woj and Co. wouldn’t report it if no one hadn’t told them, whether they were agents, team officials or even teammates. Nevertheless, as a Spurs fan you shouldn’t bury your head in the sand for a long time. Probably most of the frustration will disappear as soon as Kawhi returns to the court.
Leonard is still under contract for the coming season, and he has a player option for 2019/20. Next summer, the Spurs will also be able to offer him a Supermax deal for 219 million dollars (via San Antonio Express News). If he refuses to accept it, one could be worried, but this is not yet appropriate.
Popovich hinted at this when asked if this was exceptionally a “soap opera” for the otherwise quiet spurs:”It’s a soap opera, if we talk about it every day, I suppose. We’re not going to. There’s nothing to talk about.” At least not yet. But it’s still appropriate to pay attention, though – it’s the spurs.