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Kawhi Leonard Reveals Relationship With Gregg Popovich

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard still has love for San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich

Joey Linn

Kawhi Leonard Reveals Relationship With Gregg Popovich
Kawhi Leonard Reveals Relationship With Gregg Popovich /
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LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard had a difficult breakup with the San Antonio Spurs. Despite this, Leonard still has love for Gregg Popovich. Speaking with reporters after Saturday night's win over the Spurs, Leonard credited Popovich for helping make him the player he is today.

"He's the reason why I'm the player I am today," Leonard said when asked about Popovich. "Built that foundation, showing me winning basketball. He's a great coach. Still one of the best coaches I've had. We've been in too many battles to have a scar on our relationship."

Leonard was a Finals MVP with the Spurs, and he also emerged into a superstar level player towards the end of his time there. While it did not end well, he still has a positive relationship with Popovich, who helped make him the player he is today.

It has been a rough last year for Leonard, who suffered a torn ACL in the 2021 playoffs, but he is starting to work his way back. Looking better with each game, Leonard perhaps looked his best during this win over the Spurs, and will continue to build off this performance.

While the Spurs roster is entirely different from when Leonard played there, Popovich remains as the one constant, and he is a somebody that Leonard still has positive feelings towards. Despite what some may think, there is still love there between Kawhi Leonard and his former coach.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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