It’s kinda funny to me how uncoachable a lot of the city has been on this.
While it’s not the greatest look to chastise the fans in the middle of a 10-game losing streak. Nothing Pop did or said was wrong.
A) People act like Pop said dudes would get thrown out of the building if they kept booing. He made his plea. He found out immediately it didn’t work, and he accepted that outcome by 1. Not trying again 2. Not bringing it up again. After the game, he very well could have chastised the fans for not listening or said he didn’t like it. He did neither, and we know Pop speaks his mind when he is inclined.
B) Pop has way more access to varied perspectives on the perception of treating Kawhi like this from other players, our players, opposing coaches, NBA executives, etc. Whether it’s the difference between getting a free agent or not, we’re actively making their jobs harder in recruitment for very little gain of booing Kawhi relentlessly. I’d have to wonder if even our own players aren’t feeling it, and that added to Pop wanting to say something. I’m guessing the perception of this doesn’t bathe our organization in glory. Pop very much could have been trying to put our fan base on game, and we told him to eff off.
C) He’s just straight up right. This fan base is extremely petty about Kawhi. I’m surprised it’s even up for debate that he’s right about that part. It’s not classy behavior. Now you can say we don’t care about being classy and want to embrace pettiness, and that’s everyone’s right, but it can’t be argued that it’s extremely petty to be doing this five years later. For a fanbase that prides itself on being first class – even if we were wronged – it’s petty behavior to still not have turned the other cheek five years later, especially knowing now the outcome was Wemby. People keep excusing this as other fanbases this and that, but I was led to believe Spurs culture was above that kinda group think. And tbh I don’t think other fanbases do this. James Harden is a directly applicable situation, and I don’t think Houston treats him like this.
I get this opinion will be unpopular. And if you want to boo Kawhi, that’s your right. It’s was also Pops right to say stop because it’s pointless, makes us look petty, it’s time to move past it into the next chapter and there’s almost no positives that come from it. At best, it does nothing. At worst, it motivates Kawhi and turns off outsiders who may have otherwise liked what the Spurs offer.
I suspect all that, as well as his personal relationship with Kawhi were factors. I also find it odd that people are so desperate to hold onto this sports hate. It literally does nothing for anyone when we should be look to a bright future with Wemby not old pains with Kawhi. Pop wants this organization/city/sports trauma to heal and its kinda sad people are turning it into something nasty about Pop.
TLDR: Pop is right, but people are so determined to stick up for their right to boo Kawhi that they are missing the perspective. Pop probably has that goes beyond the San Antonio bubble and pain.
NBA fans fail to realize that Wemby has been a professional basketball player for years, and is very accustomed to not only winning, but dominating. Though he plays basketball, his mentality is that of a soccer player in Europe. Just listen to his interviews. He never minces words when he speaks about his abilities and his goals.
Where a top American player would say, “I’m just trying to help the team win games,” Wemby will state that he wants the championship, as that’s the point of playing basketball games for a season. He doesn’t dabble in mediocrity.
I’m speaking from a foreigner’s point of view so keep that in mind. Though I’m an American now, my sports views are not. America treats sports a lot differently than the rest of the world.
The concept of tanking doesn’t exist in Euro leagues. This is a wild concept to young Victor. When a team fails over there, they’re relegated to a lower league and have to fight their way back up. This would never work in America as we never allow businesses to fail here.
With all that said, I fully expect Wemby to want out after this season, so he could play competitive basketball again. I don’t see money as a factor for him, so even if he does finish his Spurs contract, he will not be spending more time here, no matter what they offer him. He’s off to a big market, of which I believe the Knicks will be front runners.
I don’t agree but this was definitely an interesting perspective that I had no way of considering before you brought into my life. So thank you. I appreciate the thorough response.
I will say that makes sense that his mentality is different than the average player and it makes him more prone to get fed up sooner.
It be interesting to get honest thoughts about how he feels so far.
I look forward to seeing him do another interview with JJ Reddick. I believe he has been most candid on that platform so far, though that was prior to NBA media training.
Glad I could share an alternate perspective. Respect.
I just want to be clear - you’re not saying Wemby’s going to want out because the fans booed Kawhi, right? You’re saying he’ll want out because the team is losing? Or does the booing connect to this in some way?