smackeddog wrote:My worry is that in the finals GS struggle/ lose against the Bucks, then KD comes back and they win the series- could be the scenario that stops him leaving GS (as it stops the talk that they would have won without him)

KD wants the love that Curry and klay get, and he will never ever get that playing GS.

BigDaddyG wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Wow. Huge win for the Raptors. If not for a freak game by Bropez this series is over.

Yep, this game changes the narrative quite a bit. I don't expect Vanleet to keep this up tho.

Knicksfan wrote:

Uptown wrote:

smackeddog wrote:My worry is that in the finals GS struggle/ lose against the Bucks, then KD comes back and they win the series- could be the scenario that stops him leaving GS (as it stops the talk that they would have won without him)

I would be surprised if KD comes back this year...Seems like GS or his agent is trying to protect KD by calling the injury a calf strain...Looked like an achilles injury to me. The way he looked down at the back of his leg when he was running back up the court, looked like a typical achilles injury. Most athletes who suffered the same injury have said as much. If you go back and look at the film, KD grabbed at his achilles not his calf...

I’ve had this exact thought on my mind. But it would be kinda shady for GS to lie about it until the end. What if, conspiracy theory alert, the lie is carried to free agency? I know teams should do physical exams on players before signing, though, so the truth should be out sometime during the Finals.

But what are the consequences of that injury? Hiding it seems more like a FA thing than a Playoffs worry. That injury is huge and could have a big impact on the FA market if it were more than the calf.

Yeah, I've been suspicious of that as well- would certainly fit with the Knicks luck! I think (and I could be working) all the rumors of KD phoning to recruit players to NY and the secret meeting etc all started after his injury, which, if true, would indicate he knows he's not returning this series which is why his attention has shifted to free agency.

Why would the Warriors lie? Keeps their opponents on their toes (is KD coming back or not? Is cousin's coming back or not), and to maintain morale- remember when it first happened there was uncertainty as to whether the Warriors could step up without him, as soon as they did then Kerr suddenly said "oh the injury is slightly worse than we originally thought")

smackeddog wrote:Oh man, I was hoping for a swift Bucks win so Kawhi would leave Toronto. Now the Bucks are choking, it's likely Kawhi will stay.

Kawhi is a game-optimal player. Star who does everything right on the court. Pop pupil.
He can come to NY only because Perry is the man of the same mentality. They match very well.
He is probably the only one who can handle NY media and NY environment in general from all top FA available.
He should be FO main FA target. You get him and you get any other star you want because he is probably the one who all of them want to play with.
He does not look like a guy who will take the team hostage and push his personal agenda.