Gay: I was annoyed by catching up with Spurs Leonard, who didn't play at all

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5 games, 2 worlds: Leonard the "robot" in Gay's eyes and the "weird" Spurs

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Former Spurs player Rudy Gay's recent remarks were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples, and he was a guest on the podcast of former teammate Carmelo Anthony, recalling his brief intersection with Kawhi Leonard during his time with the Spurs, and using "robot" and "weird" to describe Leonard and the Spurs at that time, which instantly ignited the discussion among fans

Guy and Leonard were teammates for the Spurs for a short time, playing side by side for only five games, but those five games left a lasting impression on Guy that years later, he still remembers the experience vividly, describing it as "one of the craziest things I've ever seen in my life."

What is it that makes Guy feel so emotional? Was it Leonard's taciturn, repulsive "robot" style, or the "weird" atmosphere that permeated the Spurs during that special period?

Guy admitted on the show that Leonard was one of the most "weird" teammates he had ever met, describing Leonard as "barely talking to anyone", and even when he occasionally spoke, he only popped up a few "funny jokes" that were elusive

In Guy's description, Leonard is like an emotionless machine, always keeping a distance from the people and things around him, and this "robotic" personality makes Guy feel confused and incomprehensible

"He doesn't talk, he's not going to be on a podcast like people think, you know what I mean?" Guy tried to explain Leonard's "uniqueness" to the host, "He will tell funny jokes, but he's still a robot, he's not like a real person, really not like a real person"

Gay's description seems to be no different from people's impression of Leonard, a calm and decisive "robot" on the court, this kind of "robot"-like personality, off the court, seems out of place, and even makes people feel a little "weird"

Guy's remarks also sparked a discussion about Leonard's character, and some people believe that Leonard's reticence may be related to the family changes he experienced since childhood

The tragic murder of Leonard's father when he was young cast a shadow over his psyche and made him more introverted and silent, and he was accustomed to hiding his emotions from the outside world

Some people also believe that Leonard's "robotic" personality may be his self-protection mechanism to cope with the huge pressure of the NBA, in the highly competitive NBA, where every move of players is exposed to the spotlight and is under unimaginable pressure

Leonard chooses to use silence to deal with the hustle and bustle of the outside world, and uses focus to resist external distractions, he puts all his energy into basketball training and games, and proves his worth with practical actions

Whatever the reason for Leonard's "robot" personality, one thing is undeniable, and that is that this personality makes him particularly "weird" in the final days of the Spurs

Guy recalled that when he came to the Spurs, it was at a time of tension between Leonard and the team, and Leonard's injury problems, as well as his conflict with the team's management, made the Spurs' locker room atmosphere subtle and "weird"

"We've talked about this before, and sometimes you get really bored, and I caught up with the end of Leonard's incident, but I can tell he's really tired of being at Spurs, and he wants to try something new, and it's definitely one of the craziest situations I've ever experienced," Gay said

At that time, Leonard, because of injury problems, only played 9 games for the Spurs, and then the season was reimbursed, and his conflict with the team gradually became public as the injury worsened

As an "outsider", Guy was keenly aware of the "weird" atmosphere in the Spurs when he first arrived, and he admitted that he "caught up with the end of the Leonard incident", which means that the Spurs at that time were already mired in the quagmire of the "Leonard incident".

The trigger for the "Leonard incident" was Leonard's injury problem, and in the 2017-2018 season, Leonard suffered a right quadriceps injury that plagued his entire career

The Spurs team doctor and Leonard's private medical team disagreed on the treatment plan, which led to Leonard's slow recovery from the injury and laid the groundwork for his future break with the team

Leonard's injury has not improved, which has also led to a gradual deterioration in his relationship with Spurs management, Leonard believes that the Spurs team doctor has not taken an effective treatment plan, and Spurs management doubts that Leonard's injury is really as serious as he said

The two sides disagreed with each other, which eventually led to irreconcilable conflicts, with Leonard refusing to play for the Spurs, and Spurs management losing patience with him

In the summer of 2018, Leonard requested a trade from the Spurs, and was eventually traded to the Toronto Raptors, which also announced the end of the Spurs in the "Leonard era".

When Guy recalled that "weird" experience on the show, his words were still full of helplessness and emotion, and he said that he could understand Leonard's desire to leave the Spurs, because the Spurs at that time were indeed no longer suitable for him

"I can tell he's really tired of being at Spurs and he wants to try something new," Gay said

Leonard's departure is undoubtedly a huge loss for the Spurs, but for Leonard, it may be a new beginning

With the Raptors, Leonard proved his worth by leading the Raptors to their first NBA championship and being named the MVP of the Finals

Leonard's story is a basketball story about injuries, contradictions and choices, which allows us to see the struggles and choices of a player in the face of difficulties, and also allows us to see the helplessness and emotion of a team in the face of the departure of a superstar player

Guy's revelations unveiled the mystery of the Spurs in the "Leonard era" for us, let us see a more real and three-dimensional Leonard, and also gave us a deeper understanding of the "weird" Spurs years

The story of Guy and Leonard is just a microcosm of the long history of the NBA, where every player and team is playing their own story in the NBA's competitive and stressful arena

These stories have laughter and tears; There are successes and failures; There are glory and loneliness, but in any case, these stories constitute the unique charm of the NBA, the temple of basketball

And Guy's words also triggered fans to think more about Leonard's character, and some people believe that Leonard's "robot" personality may be one of the secrets of his success

On the pitch, he focuses on the game and is not distracted by the outside world; Off the court, he keeps a low profile and does not pursue fame and fortune, and this pure basketball attitude allows him to pursue his basketball dream without distractions

Others believe that Leonard's "robot" personality may become an obstacle to his future career, and in the NBA, relationships are just as important

A player who doesn't know how to communicate with teammates, coaches and management will not be able to achieve long-term success, and Leonard needs to learn how to better express his emotions and how to get along with others better

In any case, Leonard is a one-of-a-kind player, and his "robotic" personality, his basketball talent, and his championship experience have all made him a special presence in NBA history

And Guy's revelations also give us a more comprehensive and profound understanding of this "robot" star

Do you think Leonard's "robotic" personality has contributed to his success, or will it be an obstacle to his future career? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section and share your views