Rudy Gay Dismisses ESPN Reports of 'Tense' Spurs Meeting over Kawhi Leonard

If one believes San Antonio Spurs swingman Rudy Gay, the report of a heated players-only meeting regarding whether Kawhi Leonard will return this season was overblown.

RJ Marquez of KSAT News shared Gay's comments, noting he said of the reported meeting: "We all got together and we talked about things that were going on. Heated? I don't think so. It was just a conversation, nothing more than that."

This comes after Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on the players-only meeting and said "the conversation was described as tense and emotional at times."

According to Wojnarowski, veteran point guard Tony Parker—who recovered from his own quadriceps injury this season—led the meeting in which a number of players spoke up. Leonard said he still isn't completely healthy, playing only nine games in his initial attempt to return to the court.

"Several teammates spoke up, expressing frustration and confusion over a growing divide that has created significant tension between Leonard and the Spurs," Wojnarowski wrote.

To San Antonio's credit, it is still sixth in the Western Conference at 42-30 and has won five in a row largely running the offense through LaMarcus Aldridge. From the block and high elbow, he has been unleashing smooth mid-range jumpers and doing impressive work around the basket.

Still, it is difficult to envision this team challenging the likes of the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets in the postseason without Leonard back and healthy.

The two-way force is a four-time All-Defensive selection, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-NBA selection as well as the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.