As the postseason rapidly approaches, Kawhi Leonard Watch remains the biggest X-factor in the San Antonio Spurs' quest for franchise title No. 6.
While Spurs teammate Danny Green couldn't give a concrete update on Leonard's status in an appearance on the "In the Zone with Chris Broussard" podcast, he was quick to reiterate that there's no bubbling animosity between the players and their superstar teammate.
“I can say from our team and from their perspective and standpoint, I can speak for most of them, there is no odds,” Green said. “We’re not at odds with him. I don’t know about the front office, I don’t know about family issues or whatever that is. I would like to guess none because he’s in the facility, he’s at the arena, he’s still there, they communicate, they still talk and check up on him, he still works out with our training staff.
"But from the team’s perspective, there’s nobody on our team that’s at odds with him. We understand, so we have his back regardless of what he’s been going through.”
Leonard hasn't played since January while nursing a lingering quadriceps injury - an ailment Green said afflicted the two-time All-Star last season, but worsened over the summer, and then once again flared up during Leonard's midseason attempt to return.
Green also echoed the sentiment held by Manu Ginobili, who said in March that the team has to prepare as if Leonard isn't returning in time for the playoffs.
"Our mindset is 'he's not coming back,"' Green said. "Mentally, this is the group that we have."
