Kawhi Leonard has been more than his usual quiet self this season, seemingly more distant from the San Antonio Spurs during his recovery process from a dumbfounding quad injury.
Yet despite the reported fissure between the star and the organization, Leonard was planning to return from New York City; where he was continuing his rehabilitation, to be with his head coach Gregg Popovich in Game 3 of the Spurs' first-round series against the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright.
“Leonard had intended to leave New York, join the team and support Popovich if he coached one of the games after his wife’s death, according to sources close to both men. When Popovich did not return, Leonard decided to stay and train. But the sentiment was an indication of the strength of their bond.”
This recent report also brought to light that the “rift” between Leonard and the organization is more so the Spurs having problems with his representation, not him; as his maternal uncle Dennis Robertson and agent Mitch Frankel have taken over as his representation after the departure of former agent Brian Elfus, who parted ways after 2015.
The bond between coach and player is reportedly the same as before, only with the complication of “Uncle Dennis” being a knot in the throat of the organization — which could become a cancerous relationship if Leonard chooses to remain closely associated with him.
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