Why Did Gregg Popovich Stop Fans From Booing Kawhi Leonard? Spurs HC Divulges Reason With a Warning

The tension between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs reached an impasse when Kawhi Leonard, the former Spurs All-star, was heckled by his once-adoring home crowd for the very first time. To this, Spurs? head coach Gregg Popovich stepped forward, grabbed the microphone, and addressed the booing crowd in strong words. This unexpected intervention raises questions: Why did Popovich have to quiet the fans, and how does it reflect on the relationship between Kawhi Leonard and the City of San Antonio?

Popovich’s defense: Silencing boos for Kawhi Leonard

The Frost bank center rang with boos as Leonard, who is now a Clippers standout, stood at the free-throw line. Leonard knew the jeers too well, as he had endured fan wrath since his controversial exit from the Spurs in 2018. Nevertheless, the crowd?s reaction became intensive, and Popovich decided to act on his own.

Popovich’s unexpected plea for civility sent a clear message to the fans: All the booing has got to stop now, the crowd needs to allow these guys to continue with their performance, and show some class. ?Knock off the booing?. This was not just for the decorum but rather a gesture of loyalty by Popovich to his ex-player Kawhi Leonard.

After the match, Popovich shed more light on what transpired and he said, ?Well, I think anybody that knows anything about sports, you don?t poke the bear.? In these terms, Popovich defended Leonard, but he also warned that it can be dangerous. The game?s spirit and shielding one player from the overwhelming barrage of criticism.

Spurs’ defeat, Clippers’ victory, and Kawhi’s unresolved return

This was in vain as the crowd only intensified their boos, making the stadium electrifying with hatred. Their dissatisfaction did not target only Leonard but also continued when other Clippers players, particularly James Harden, got to the free-throw line.

Read More: After Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard is Ready for a Major Sacrifice for James Harden

The Clippers won 109?102, meaning their seventh consecutive victory against the struggling Spurs. But this episode is just one more page into the story about a strained relationship between the city and a man who was once recognized as a hero in it.

As the boos continue to rain down on Leonard during each return to San Antonio, the question remains: Will this fractured relationship be ever repaired, or will this become a continuous headache for the world of NBA?

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