Did Kawhi Leonard Shade The San Antonio Spurs With His Rehab Comments?

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has sent what many believe to be a slight to the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA champion’s former team.

Leonard, who had an unceremonious exit from the team in 2018, was recently asked about how his current comeback from injury differs from his prior experiences. After suffering a nagging quadriceps injury during the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the 31-year-old fell out with the Spurs due to the differences in approach for his rehab.

The five-time All-Star signed with the Clippers during the 2019 NBA offseason after winning the 2019 NBA Finals with the Raptors. But this time around, Leonard says his comeback has been “very different” in comparison to the similar situation he was in while with the Spurs. He shared that the positivity he feels heading into the 2022-2023 NBA season is simply due to the team having his back.

“Moving forward, they want what’s best for me. I’m seeing the same faces, so that’s like the differences pretty much,” he added.

Kawhi on how different it is returning off a long layoff this season compared to his comeback with Toronto. He says his rehab process is “very different” this time than in San Antonio before Toronto trade because of “having the team behind my back… they want what’s best for me.” pic.twitter.com/5k9BQIURVu

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 19, 2022

After being selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2011 NBA Draft, the “Klaw” was traded to San Antonio and spent his first several seasons in the league with the Spurs. In 2014, Leonard won the NBA Finals MVP award after the Spurs defeated the Miami Heat for the NBA title and won back-to-back NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016.

During the Spurs’ matchup with the Golden State Warriors during the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Leonard was injured during a collision with Golden State Warriors big man Zaza Pachulia.

Leonard would only appear in nine games for the Spurs during the 2017-2018 season before ultimately demanding a trade, which was completed when he and teammate Danny Green were dealt to Toronto in exchange for All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Pöltl and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench during the second half of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on October 23, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Read More

The post Did Kawhi Leonard Shade The San Antonio Spurs With His Rehab Comments? appeared first on BIRMINGHAM DAILY JOURNAL.



from BIRMINGHAM DAILY JOURNAL https://ift.tt/pLAmK72
via IFTTT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Composer Sarah Schachner Abruptly Departs ‘Modern Warfare II’ Soundtrack Project

Image
Photo Credit: Activision Composer Sarah Schachner abruptly departs the ‘Modern Warfare II’ soundtrack project, citing challenges working with the game’s audio director, Stephen Miller. Composer Sarah Schachner has stepped down from scoring the soundtrack for  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.  She recently posted a letter on  Twitter  citing “challenges in the working dynamic with the game’s audio director,” Stephen Miller — though Miller is not mentioned by name in her post. “Over the past couple of months the working dynamic with the audio director has become increasingly challenging and I don’t see any path forward,” Schachner writes.  “While I don’t have any control over how the music is presented in-game, what will be released on the soundtrack is not my artistic intent in regards to mixing and mastering.” Requests from fans eager for a release date on the game’s soundtrack after the title’s debut on October 28 continued to pour in. Schachner...
Read more

Trump Lawyer Warns Ron DeSantis Not To Run Against Him

Image
An attorney for Donald Trump appeared to warn Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis against opposing the former president in the 2024 presidential election. (Watch the video below.) “DeSantis is DeSantis because of Trump,” Alina Habba said on the Right Side Broadcasting Network during a Trump rally in Vandalia, Ohio, Monday. “I like what DeSantis is doing in Florida, but he needs to stay in Florida.” Interviewer Christina Bobb , also a lawyer for Trump, chimed in “100%.” “Just stay where you are. You’re doing a great job in Florida,” Habba continued. Both agreed that DeSantis would fare better in 2028. “Don’t jump the gun,” Bobb advised. “He’s not ready yet,” Habba added. The relationship between Trump and DeSantis has reportedly soured as the Florida governor has positioned himself as a possible GOP rival for president. On Saturday, Trump called him “Ron DeSanctimonious” at a Pennsylvania rally. Some conservatives accused the former president of sowing dissension in the GOP’s own r...
Read more

Buccaneers’ Tom Brady Shows Support for Devin White After ‘Loafing’ Criticism

Image
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady backed linebacker Devin White after the Pro Bowler was criticized for his lack of effort in last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Tom Brady @TomBrady It’s gonna take all of us. We got you @DevinWhite__40 #GoBucs https://t.co/cHcRXMApOh White was responding to a tweet from Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times after the Bucs’ star defender previously addressed the criticism in his Wednesday meeting with reporters. “I was on the far side of the field, on our sidelines, (in) coverage. The play happened on their sidelines, and I took off running. Obviously, I wasn’t running the fastest over there. My teammates know what’s going on,” White said. The tape showed White jogging toward Demarcus Robinson as the Ravens wide receiver converted a 3rd-and-9 to extend a drive in Bucs territory with the game tied 10-10 in the third quarter. The Ravens would score a touchdown two plays later. Buccaneers coach T...
Read more