Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs endured an ugly split last summer. Now with the Raptors, Leonard will return to San Antonio on Thursday.
Spurs president-coach Gregg Popovich, via Jeff Garcia of NBA 4 San Antonio:
I’d understand San Antonio fans booing Leonard, as long as jeers don’t rise to anything personal. Though they had great years together – peaking with Leonard leading the Spurs to the 2014 NBA title – Leonard became a sports villain by requesting a trade. That doesn’t make him a bad person, but he can be treated as the antagonist within this framework.
That said, Popovich’s request will carry weight. I’m not every San Antonio fan will cheer Leonard, but I bet some who were on the fence about hot to receive him will take their cue from Popovich.
