clipperlover wrote:When Kawhi has sat out for "load management" we have known about that. I don't think anyone should be hating on Kawhi taking a "personal" day shouldn't be assumed as load management.
With the Wiggins situation in GS, I think when a player takes a "personal" day, we need to understand that there may be some things going on in their lives bigger than basketball.
Kawhi's father was murdered when he was 16, so I think family is very important to him.
Everybody gets the benefit of the doubt but this isn't the first time Kawhi has cancelled out on game day. When it's a pattern and not the exception, you just don't care anymore. Kawhi has operated under his own rules from the first, including showing up late for the team plane, etc. Private dressing room that first year. It's not a stretch to say this pattern is not conducive to team spirit.
A big part of it is all the mystery involved. Ty has often said he had no idea when Kawhi would be back during his many absences. Everyone's on a need-to-know basis, and that's added stress. Am I playing tonight? Am I starting tonight? What position? What matchup am I watching video on to prepare?