Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY
Kawhi Leonard 'Trash,' But Spurs Should Retire Jersey, Says Radio Host
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is sitting out of today's Game 4 with a knee injury, a feeling many San Antonio Spurs fans are familiar with from his time with the team.
It's been five years since Leonard left the Spurs, but his legacy still brews conversations in San Antonio.
A big debate between many Spurs fans and pundits is whether Leonard should have his jersey hanging in the rafters of the AT&T Center, and there is a legitimate argument on both sides.
"I know a lot of Spurs fans hate Kawhi Leonard," ESPN San Antonio radio host Mike Jimenez said. "Believe me, the way he ghosted the Spurs was so unprofessional, immature ... That guy is trash, but I want his jersey retired at the AT&T Center. We wouldn't have that 2014 title without him, so we gotta put some respect where that name is."
Leonard joined the Spurs in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent his first seven NBA seasons with the team. During Leonard's tenure, he was part of two Western Conference Championship teams, including the 2014 squad that won it all. Leonard was named Finals MVP for his efforts in the Spurs' five-game series against the Miami Heat.
Once Tim Duncan retired, Leonard took over as the face of the franchise, made two All-Star teams and led the Spurs to a third Conference Finals appearance in five years.
However, Leonard injured himself in Game 1 of the 2017 Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors and went on to play nine games the following season, the final bow of his Spurs' career before a trade to the Toronto Raptors in July 2018.
The mystery surrounding Leonard's lack of desire to play frustrated teammates and Spurs fans alike. Then, his eventual trade request completely tarnished his legacy in San Antonio ... but is it still salvageable?
The relationship between Leonard and Gregg Popovich is still there.
"He meant a lot," Leonard said earlier this season. "He's the reason why I'm the player I am today ... We've been in too many battles to have a scar on our relationship."
The relationship between Leonard and Popovich certainly is a clue that Leonard could still be seen favorably within the organization. The damage is done, but time heals.
"It's a love-hate relationship," Jimenez said. "That [No.] 2 jersey should be up there. If [Bruce] Bowen is up there, if Johnny Moore is up there, then the guy that was the NBA of the 2014 Finals should be up there."
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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