Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and Gregg Popovich drama at San Antonio Spurs explained by Insider

Kawhi Leonard had a fallout with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2017-18.

Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and Gregg Popovich drama at San Antonio Spurs explained by Insider

Kawhi Leonard and Gregg Popovich

After leading the San Antonio Spurs to a championship in 2014 and winning the Finals MVP award in his third season with the team, Kawhi Leonard appeared set to be the franchise’s future face. However, things took a drastic toll as Leonard had a fallout with the Spurs over the handling of his injury and opted out of the franchise, with the Spurs trading him to the Toronto Raptors.

In addition, Leonard’s former Spurs teammates Stephen Jackson and LaMarcus Aldridge shed some light on Leonard’s fallout with the Spurs and their head coach, Gregg Popovich. On the All The Smoke podcast, Jackson claimed that Leonard was hurt by Tony Parker‘s words in the media regarding Parker comparing his injury with Leonard led to him leaving the franchise. Additionally, Aldridge claimed that Leonard was not happy under Popovich’s coaching and “just wanted to hoop” so he chose to part ways with Spurs.

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He wanted to hoop, and when the injury stuff came down how they didn't fight for him. Like Tony had an injury, and he was out a long time, but Kawhi never said nothing, Then there were questions why Kawhi was out; Tony was like, 'I had the same injury, and I came back.'
On the All The Smoke Podcast, Stephen Jackson said

Aldridge then explained his story.

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I'm not going to speak for anybody, but he (Leonard) didn't want to do all the other s**t that Pop did, too, the learning s**t. He just wanted to hoop.
LaMarcus Aldridge added

On the contrary, this move worked well for Leonard as he went on to achieve another huge feat with the Toronto Raptors, winning the NBA title with them. However, since then Leonard has not tasted glory and will be hoping to make amends in the upcoming season with his current side, the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.

Former Spurs player “understood” Kawhi Leonard’s decision of opting to quit Spurs

Kawhi Leonard was once considered the San Antonio Spurs’ “Future” but things went quickly worse for him at that franchise even after winning an NBA championship with them. He had a fallout with the Spurs’ coach and some teammates and ended up leaving the Spurs for the Toronto Raptors in 2018. Notably his former teammate, Rudy Gay shared his opinions on the drama that unfolded back then and also surprisingly understood Leonard’s decision to leave.

I mean we've all talked about it, Sometimes you just fed up. I caught the tail end of that but I could see he (Kawhi Leonard) was just fed up and tired. Man wanted something new, found it. But it is one of the craziest situations I've been a part [of].
On the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast, Rudy Gay said

In addition, Leonard’s relationship with the Spurs and their fans quickly turned sour.

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Leonard might have won the NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs, yet it does not appear like Spurs fans will forgive him anytime soon, even though it has been more than five years. In addition, the Spurs fans have still not forgiven Leonard despite their head coach Gregg Popovich telling his fans to forgive the NBA star.

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