Stephen A. Smith Fires Back At Clippers President's Kawhi Leonard Take

This Kawhi Leonard-Team USA controversy has been quite the doozy to follow. It was reported earlier that the Los Angeles Clippers star bowed out of the team due to injury concerns. However, in a recent statement, Clippers president Lawrence Frank expressed his disappointment that Team USA decided to remove Leonard from the training pool.

This has caused a stir on social media, as fans are left wondering what truly happened between Team USA and Leonard. Amid this frenzy, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith blasted Frank on X for his statement. Smith questioned why the Clippers would be disappointed with the decision given Kawhi’s injury history.

"Respectfully Lawrence Frank, come on! How could anyone who roots for the @LAClippers possibly feel this way, knowing this man is perennially unhealthy, having missed 60% of the playoffs as a Clipper. His greatness is not a question. His health is always a question. So how can any member of the Clippers be disappointed, knowing how much he’s needed. Come on!"

Leonard’s injury history is well-known at this point. Due to a freak injury suffered in 2017, the Clippers star has suffered a degenerative knee issue. That injury has forced the team to manage his playing workload.

Leonard and the Clippers now will shift their focus toward the 2024-25 NBA season. Can Leonard lead Los Angeles to success now that his running mate Paul George has left?