After leading a players-only meeting in which Spurs players implored Kawhi Leonard to return to the team's lineup, Tony Parker talked about his quad injury from last season and how it compared to what Leonard is going through.
Tony Parker on his return from the career-threatening quad injury he suffered last May: I’ve been through it. It was a rehab for me for eight months. Same kind of injury (as Kawhi), but mine was a hundred times worse. But the same kind of injury. You just stay positive."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 23, 2018
Parker's injury was considered career-threatening at the time of diagnosis, but Spurs doctor David Schmidt conducted the surgery on the 35-year-old and led him through the necessary rehabilitation that brought him back to the court in late November. Leonard's recovery hasn't gone as smoothly. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has only played nine games this season, and hasn't suited since January.
MORE: Celtics' injuries leave Jayson Tatum as No. 1 option — and that's not a bad thing
There's some question as to whether this was a dig from one teammate to another. At first glance, the comments could appear as a reassuring message from Parker to Leonard, but Parker later commented on whether he'd get a second opinion on his injury — something that Leonard did and is partially why he's held out from playing.
Tony also said he never considered getting a second-opinion after he tore his quad: "I could have gone anywhere, but I trust my Spurs doctors. They have been with me my whole career. They know my body better than anybody…I feel like we have the best medical team in the world."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 23, 2018
This all could be just a result of mounting frustrations. After last week's win over Minnesota, Spurs veterans sat Leonard down and asked when he planned to return this season.
Jabari Young of the San Antonio Express-News reported:
According to sources, Leonard, who was caught off guard by the meeting, stood his ground. He spoke up telling his teammates that a return was still the goal. But Leonard offered no set date or guarantee about a return this season.
Leonard did receive support from some teammates, urging him not to return until he feels healthy enough, sources told the Express-News.
The meeting lasted roughly five to 10 minutes with no clear update on Leonard’s plans.
The Leonard injury saga has been one of the more curious situations of this NBA season. It's rare to see any amount of dysfunction from an NBA team run as well as the Spurs, and these comments that appear to be pressuring Leonard to return only add fuel to this bizarre fire of a story.
For now, however, Parker said that he will follow in fellow veteran Manu Ginobli's footsteps and treat the remainder of the season as if Leonard won't return.
"Yeah, I kind of agree with Manu. But at the same time, I'm a big believer, so I still want to believe [Leonard will return this season]," Parker said after shootaround Friday. "But I agree with Manu, we have to have that approach."