The Board Man Cometh!! Kawhi Leonard Signs 3 Year (2+1), $103 Million Deal

Ranma · Post #341 » by **Ranma** » Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:30 pm

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Ranma · Post #342 » by **Ranma** » Thu Dec 20, 2018 3:52 am

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Ranma · Post #343 » by **Ranma** » Thu Dec 20, 2018 5:49 pm

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Ranma · Post #344 » by **Ranma** » Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:04 pm

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Ranma · Post #345 » by **Ranma** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:19 pm

This is the subscription article noted for detailing how Kawhi walked by Lawrence Frank in the Staples Center hallway after the game against the Raptors without knowing who he was. Well, Amick also argues in favor of the Clippers' proactive efforts and considers talk of their methods being controversial or otherwise disrespectful to be overblown.

Sam Amick, The Athletic (12/17/18)

The Free Agency File: The Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Strategy and Why It’s More Commendable Than Controversial

Ranma · Post #346 » by **Ranma** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:45 pm

Sam Amick, Sports Illustrated (6/18/11)

"There's nobody who's more focused and more serious about what he's doing than Kawhi," Impact director of player development Andrew Moore said. "He's just a pure basketball guy. He loves shooting, loves working out, loves one-on-one, loves defending. He comes in every day and there's no sideshow, nothing else going on.

"[His motor] is more than I ever expected. As a training facility, the one thing we can't really teach is a motor, the want and desire. And he's off the charts. That's why he's been able to get so much better and make the necessary changes for the NBA that he had to in such a short time, because he has that fire, he has that motor."

That singular focus on the game is overwhelmingly evident during a day spent watching Leonard and picking his 19-year-old brain. Ask him about his story -- including the most publicized part of his tale, the tragic murder of his father three years ago -- and he obliges with polite responses but very little passion. Inquire about the hype that surrounds him and his rising stock in the draft, and he acts as if he couldn't find his way onto the Internet to read the latest chatter if he tried.

But give him an excuse to talk about this game, to break down the kind of player he is and what he wants to become, and the youngster from Moreno Valley, Calif. suddenly sounds like Steve Kerr on the latest TNT broadcast.

When Leonard becomes a pro, he plans on having his mother live with him. In truth, however, the decision sounds as if it has as much to do with her as it does with him. He is her youngest, and there is about to be quite a void in her schedule after spending the last two years attending Aztecs home games.

"I don't want my mom to be home alone," Leonard said. "I just feel like it's going to be a good thing for me. I'm still young, 19 years old, so having my mom there is going to make me more comfortable. I love my mom, so I'm not going to tell her not to move in with me."

In Wake of Tragedy, Hard-Working Leonard Focuses on NBA Future

Wammy Giveaway · Post #347 » by **Wammy Giveaway** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 7:05 pm

If the recruiting was made by the Lakers, general managers would be extremely worried to the point they'd take precautions. Same could be said for Celtics, possibly this recent Warriors team. It's the fear of championships from the other team's perspective, but in the Laker's case, two titles more and they'll be anointed the de facto franchise of the NBA. As the old saying goes, "whoever has the gold makes the rules," and for the Lakers, they could write whatever rules they want to benefit themselves and put them into the next collector's bargaining agreement, with the owners being able to do nothing about it, because "RINGZ... now PUCKER UP and KISS IT, Whoville!"

The fact that general managers aren't willing to evoke those same feelings on the Lakers towards the Clippers is quite unusual. The Lob City era was a lying, cheating, stealing Eddie-Guerro-imitation bent on entitlement that could be perceived as delusional. There were past reports of opposing teams loving nothing more than to smack the smiles out of their phony Hollywood faces. After Chris Paul was traded, the consensus around the league was that the Clippers were the Donald Sterling-era losers again and got what they deserved. Shouldn't general managers continue to hold a grudge on the Clippers for their past behavior by not allowing their scouts in the premises?

This is all I'm trying to say. Every person outside of your inner circle is a representative of the enemy. You don't want the enemy to gain an unfair advantage by defeating your team, assessing trade value of players, or researching a player for them to recruit in the off-season. They've done so for the top two title hoarders in Lakers and Celtics, and have treated Warriors as a rising penultimate threat. The Clippers have no championships; in fact, they can't even get out of the second round, and are currently serving penance for their 3-1 collapse in 2015. They're more known for their losing, inexplicable shortcomings and dysfunctional front office.

Are the Clippers getting a free pass with their recruiting methods?

Ranma · Post #348 » by **Ranma** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 9:15 pm

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Ranma · Post #349 » by **Ranma** » Wed Jan 2, 2019 5:55 am

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Ranma · Post #350 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jan 4, 2019 4:03 am

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Alex Kennedy, HoopsHype.com (1/3/19)

In his terrific weekly newsletter, Stein predicted that Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant will re-sign with their current teams. However, Stein believes Leonard is likely leaving Toronto.

“The Raptors, however, know that they almost certainly have to win it all to convince Leonard to spurn a return to his native Southern California,” Stein writes. “It turns out that merely winning the LeBron-less East will be tougher than the Raptors ever imagined because of Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Boston and pesky Indiana.

“The Clippers’ hopes of signing Kawhi away from the Raptors, as a result, feel rather real as the calendar flips. One likewise presumes that a full Toronto teardown, headlined by a Kyle Lowry trade, would soon follow if Kawhi exits.”

MVP Race: For the First Time This NBA Season, James Harden is No. 1

Tim Bontemps, ESPN.com (1/3/19)

When the discussion of where Leonard will play next season inevitably comes up, there are two things that Toronto, no matter how hard it tries, can't provide Leonard: being at home and year-round warm weather.

Those are two things the LA Clippers can offer, which is part of why their pursuit of Leonard has drawn so much attention. Some aspects of it have been overt, such as the Clippers' presence at many of his games this season in a scouting capacity. Others have been less so, such as their decision to hire former Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins for a front-office job.

The popular opinion among league executives six months before Leonard makes his decision is that he'll choose between the Raptors and the Clippers. If it comes down to those two teams, the chance for Leonard to come home and to stay away from snow could be the Clippers' strongest argument.

It's partly why, when people around the Raptors were asked what Leonard is like behind closed doors, the near universal response was a shrug of the shoulders. Away from the gym, Leonard is seen as a regular guy -- one who will talk about sports, music or anything else. But when it's time to work, whether for practice or a game, his demeanor instantly changes.

"He understands his work day," Nurse said. "And when he walks through that door, he's ready to put in a day of work. It's not like, 'Oh, man, I have to do this stuff again today.' That's not even close to his mentality. It's, 'This is what I'm doing, and I'm gonna do it well,' and that's just the way it is.

"'Let's get it done.'"

Why Toronto Believes It Can Convince Kawhi Leonard to Stay

Ranma · Post #351 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jan 11, 2019 11:36 pm

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Ranma · Post #352 » by **Ranma** » Fri Jan 25, 2019 12:46 am

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Quake Griffin · Post #353 » by **Quake Griffin** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:36 pm

Many players own southern California offseason homes and work out here in the offseason from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

It's not even news any more. Hasn't been for over a decade.

Ranma · Post #354 » by **Ranma** » Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:19 pm

That's true but it seems like a weird coincidence given the subject. Plus, $13.3 million seems like a lot of money to pay for a place even for an NBA player if he's not going to spend most of his time there. Still, the place is in San Diego so maybe it's for his mother to move here from San Antonio. If that is the case, that might still raise suspicion of his inclination to return to Southern California and be close but not too close to his remaining parent.

donemilio21 · Post #355 » by **donemilio21** » Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:01 am

I agree that buying a house in SD does not mean anything. It's a good place to live, and $13m is probably what Kawhi makes in 6 months after taxes.

Ranma · Post #356 » by **Ranma** » Wed Jan 30, 2019 8:14 am

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TucsonClip · Post #357 » by **TucsonClip** » Wed Jan 30, 2019 9:30 pm

We've been the front runners for two years.

Ranma · Post #358 » by **Ranma** » Sat Feb 2, 2019 11:51 am

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Zach Kram, TheRinger.com (1/31/19)

Is Anthony Davis the Most Squandered Superstar in NBA History?

Ranma · Post #359 » by **Ranma** » Fri Feb 8, 2019 10:16 pm

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Kinger95 · Post #360 » by **Kinger95** » Sat Feb 9, 2019 8:20 am

Raps fan here. Coming in peace.

Was just wondering with you guys having enough for 2 max players who do you think the other player the clippers are going to go after as target number 1 is to pair with Kawhi?

Also what is the perfect offseason scenario for you fans as far as how they use picks and cap space?

Thanks