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San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper made his second straight appearance after debuting against the Utah Jazz on Friday. While he’s been impressive on the court, Harper has also drawn some unexpected attention off it, after being handed Kawhi Leonard’s old jersey number.
Harper was awarded the number 2 by the Spurs at the start of the season, a move that sparked plenty of debate. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) voiced frustration over the decision, saying Leonard’s number should’ve been retired by the team.
"Still crazy to me a player apart of 2 finals runs, 2x DPOY, a Top 3 MVP X DPOY finish, 2x all nba, 2x all star, champion and FMVP…. Is not going to get his jersey retired by the franchise," the fan wrote.•
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However, not all Spurs fans shared the same sentiment, as many rallied behind Harper while torching Leonard.
@ash4nd1021 He's a snake and now maybe even a fraudster. He shit on Tim, Tony, Manu, and Pop on the way out.
@ash4nd1021 He tried to trash the Spurs organization on his way out.
@ash4nd1021 Jersey retirement is more about his dedication to the franchise than personal accolades. Kawhi never gives a fck about the Spurs or the city. He only cares about himself.
While many fans argued that Leonard didn’t merit a jersey retirement because of the way he left San Antonio, some claimed the franchise might consider it once he eventually retires.
@ash4nd1021 Bro relax it’s probably gonna get retired. He’s still playing. Bron still hasn’t had his shit retired here in Cleveland or in Miami.
@ash4nd1021 Kawhi is still playing tho, someone could wear 23 and 6 and Cleveland and Miami rn and it would be the same shit
Kawhi Leonard's time with the Spurs was a successful one as he led San Antonio to a championship in 2014 and was named the Finals MVP. However, his exit from the team was not pretty. The forward exited the Spurs after a fallout with the team due to a disagreement over his injury rehabilitation program and handed a trade request before joining the Toronto Raptors.
Although his jersey number remains unretired in San Antonio, Harper isn't a bad fit for the jersey. The rookie has worn the number 2 since high school and looks like a bona fide talent with huge potential.
Dylan Harper's dad defends his son from fan backlash for taking Kawhi Leonard's jersey number
Despite having a strong lineup featuring Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Keldon Johnson, much of the talk surrounding the San Antonio Spurs has centered on Dylan Harper. The rookie was awarded the No. 2 jersey by the franchise in June, causing a huge uproar among fans.
Many online were not pleased with the rookie receiving Kawhi Leonard's former number, with a fan calling the move "disgusting."
"Kawhi's number deserves to be retired. Disgusting," the fan wrote.However, Ron Harper stepped in to defend his son, claiming Leonard was still active in the NBA.
"He’s still playing I think," he wrote.@TheHurricaneBen @LegionHoops @EtienneCatalan He’s still playing I think 🤔
The exchange highlighted the divided opinions Spurs fans have about Kawhi Leonard, with the star being both despised and loved by different factions of the supporters.
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Edited by Arian Kashyap
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