Woj: Kawhi still leaning towards Clippers, Raptors have a lot of work to do still

[Cyrusman122000]

Eh, I think it is more pathetic to get so defensive about a dude just doing his job.

Just as pathetic as ESPN bringing Damon Jones on air for their first morning segment the day after the raptors made their very first NBA finals so he could predict Kawhi would and should sign with the Lakers to play with LBJ. Like, forget us making the finals, lets start by asking a LBJ paid shill about Kawhi destinations! That's what people care about!

The media pushes narratives, and many of them are bought and paid for to say garbage like this.

Good grief, could you possibly be more sensitive? Should no one have reported on Klay's injury today so as to not rub salt in the Warriors' wound? Get over it. Their job is to report the information they are hearing, not to give you a celebratory grace period.

I don’t think he was upset about reporters reporting news. Klay’s injury was legit news, not an opinionated piece.
It seems like a lot of these guys in tv are giving opinions and hypothetical guesses which a lot of them are very pro LA from what I’ve seen.

[sunskerr]

Well, the trade was a success anyway

[lebron stopper]

The Clippers took a Warriors team with a healthy Durant to 6 games, if they signed Kawhi they'd be the heavy favorites in the west. Even if the Lakers get AD. Would be pretty epic to see a Clippers vs Lakers WCF, Clippers in 5 or 6 though.

I am tired of telling people this, the Warriors did not take the Clippers seriously. Compare the Warrior's effort in the finals vs the 1st round. They were on cruise control mode. I am not trying to take away from the Clippers, but the Warriors were sleepwalking through that series.

Durant averaged what 35/10/5 that series?

Kevin Durant averaged 72% TS on 33% USG against the Clippers. Scoring on 6 foot Patrick Beverly and the rest of the underdog Clippers was beyond effortless for him, they simply had no one who could even hope to slow him down.

(For comparison, Durant averaged 59% TS on 33% USG against the Rockets.)

Warriors called them one of their toughest series mentally and physically in the last few years.

The Warriors outscored the Clippers by an average margin of victory of 9.8 points over 6 games, which is slightly higher than their average margin of victory against the Blazers (9.5 points, 4 games), and far higher than their margin of victory against the Rockets (1.8 points, 6 games).

It wasn't a tough series for the Warriors at all.

Klay was healthy. Much harder team than the Raptors faced.

The Clippers would still lose unceremoniously to the Warriors even if Kevin Durant was out for the entire series and Klay Thompson missed one full game. Stephen Curry averaged 71% TS on 25% USG against the Clippers, which is beyond effortless even for him. (For comparison, Curry averaged 54% TS on 28% USG against the Rockets, 66% TS on 35% USG against the Blazers, and 60% TS on 30% USG against the Raptors. Just like Durant, Curry absolutely lit up the Clippers.)

[HBK_Kliq_33]

Oh **** I really think this is how he wants to create his legacy as one of the greatest players ever. He’s going next to the Clippers to get a championship for them. And then onto the next team that needs one. Sneaky way to make a hellava argument he’s the GoAT.

I like the sounds of that, keep signing 1 year contracts with different franchises and winning a title every year.

[BullyKing]

If Zach had reported it I'd believe it. Woj on the other-hand is doing the publicity work of some agents and teams while also pushing a narrative about a team in LA so they can keep high viewership figures for ESPN.

Such obvious BS. They both work for ESPN but you would believe the opinion commentator over the reporter.

Sorry but it's not BS, don't tell me who I trust and don't. Not all journalists are as ethical as others.

Nah, like Woj, I'm allowed to give my opinion whenever I want and I'm going to continue to think this whole reaction is about what he reported as opposed to who reported it and that this is all basically "I have sads because he said my player might leave."

[BullyKing]

Just as pathetic as ESPN bringing Damon Jones on air for their first morning segment the day after the raptors made their very first NBA finals so he could predict Kawhi would and should sign with the Lakers to play with LBJ. Like, forget us making the finals, lets start by asking a LBJ paid shill about Kawhi destinations! That's what people care about!

The media pushes narratives, and many of them are bought and paid for to say garbage like this.

Good grief, could you possibly be more sensitive? Should no one have reported on Klay's injury today so as to not rub salt in the Warriors' wound? Get over it. Their job is to report the information they are hearing, not to give you a celebratory grace period.

I don’t think he was upset about reporters reporting news. Klay’s injury was legit news, not an opinionated piece.
It seems like a lot of these guys in tv are giving opinions and hypothetical guesses which a lot of them are very pro LA from what I’ve seen.

Well it says "reported" which to me indicates he's saying this based on what he's heard not what he thinks. But if it is really just Woj speculating then why do they care so much? Obviously the future of the Raptors is going to be a natural discussion topic after they won and Kawhi is far and away the biggest part of that. The only explanation offered as to why he would say Kawhi might go to LA if he truly didn't believe that is to boost ratings in LA as if someone in LA is going to watch ESPN next year if Kawhi is in Toronto simply because Woj thought he would go to LA. I mean none of this makes any sense. Isn't the more logical explanation that these dudes simply cannot emotionally handle the mere possibility that Kawhi doesn't want to be there long term?

But anyway, I'm done with the issue. Congrats to Toronto on the title.

[Madhouse]

I don't get how the Raptors "have a lot of work to do" statement.

translated it means Woj has no idea what will happen.

[marcush]

I think us fans just need to understand that this is the way the way media outlets earn revenue these days. A ‘report’ like this will get 10 x the reads that a Zach Lowe deep dive into Toronto’s pnr coverage.

Basically, if this sort of content upsets you, then allocate your time towards other, less commercial mainstream content.

[Ben Simmons]

Kawhi vs. LeBron being rivals in LA is easily the best thing for the NBA
Its probably the most interesting rivalry ever, or since Magic vs. Bird.

[moistnessfiscal]

Shai
Williams
Leonard
Gallinari
Harrell

Still a lot of work to do though.

[HeartBreakKid]

Pretty pathetic to post this the morning after the dude wins a championship. Like, can you keep it in your pants at least until after the parade..

It's his job to post stuff as soon as possible...

[mtcan]

Kawhi vs. LeBron being rivals in LA is easily the best thing for the NBA
Its probably the most interesting rivalry ever, or since Magic vs. Bird.

What's the point of that if only one of them could ever be in the finals.

Lebron vs Kawhi in FINALS would be best. West vs East. That's how it should be.

[Lockdown]

I don't get how the Raptors "have a lot of work to do" statement.

translated it means Woj has no idea what will happen.

I’m pretty sure it would mean he doesn’t want to have to carry the load at both ends the way he had to this postseason because it’s a massive strain on his body, he couldn’t even dunk in the Finals. They need to get another consistent star. They also were fortunate to run up against a depleted team - that’s part of the game, but you need to do something to convince him it’s repeatable.

They also need to convince him the team isn’t a year or so away from Gasol/Lowry/Ibaka/Green being over the hill. Just saying “we have cap space next summer” isn’t enough, it’s no guarantee of anything.

That said, I think everyone who thinks the Clippers are a pre-baked contender who just need to add Kawhi are overrating them. They overachieved in a season where half the West had a weirdly bad year. Everyone’s talking about Doc Rivers being this master coach, but unless he has prime KG, overachieving with underdog teams seems to be all he really accomplishes. The Celtics let him walk & were fine, while the Lob City era Clippers never once got out of the second round.

[JShuttlesworth]

What work would Toronto possibly have to do? They catered to his load management needs, they won a title, and they want him back in the worst way. No work has to be done. If he leaves Toronto now, he was never staying no matter what happened.

This right here. We did our part, we won the ring, we did everything he needed. It was worth it no matter what happens, it's up to Kawhi now.

[TheNewEra]

He Leave?

[Ben Simmons]

Kawhi vs. LeBron being rivals in LA is easily the best thing for the NBA
Its probably the most interesting rivalry ever, or since Magic vs. Bird.

What's the point of that if only one of them could ever be in the finals.

Lebron vs Kawhi in FINALS would be best. West vs East. That's how it should be.

Yeah I know East-West that would be better, but if I compare all the rivalries post-Bird-Magic, I can't think of one more interesting that the prospect of LeBron-Kawhi meeting in the Conference Finals for the next 3-4 years.
Its Clippers vs. Lakers and Kawhi vs. LeBron
I think that beats all the recent rivalries.
I'd find it more interesting than the recent Durant vs. LeBron rivalry, but I guess because it was so lopsided.

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

Leave or stay we have a ring so I'm indifferent. If he leaves we begin rebuilding, if he stays we continue to stay in the playoffs

[JeepCSC]

What work would Toronto possibly have to do? They catered to his load management needs, they won a title, and they want him back in the worst way. No work has to be done. If he leaves Toronto now, he was never staying no matter what happened.

Win a title, gave him carte blanche on load management, want him back. Toronto the new San Antonio?

[TheBatman]

What work would Toronto possibly have to do? They catered to his load management needs, they won a title, and they want him back in the worst way. No work has to be done. If he leaves Toronto now, he was never staying no matter what happened.

Facts

[Raps in 4]

Woj is a tabloid reporter these days. Hasn't been relevant since joining ESPN.