Team USA wasn’t messing around regarding Gold at the Olympics this year. After rumors began during the FIBA World Cup of 2023, some of the best NBA players made a point to compete. As a result, a god squad featuring the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry made their way to Paris.
Among that roster of MVPs, All-NBA talents, and all-time certified Hall of Famers was injury-prone Kawhi Leonard. A two-time Finals MVP and NBA Champion, Leonard was more than deserving of his spot on the roster.
However, injuries derailed his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, including last season, when a knee issue sidelined him for essentially the entire playoffs, so doubts about his attendance were profound. As it turned out, the skeptics weren’t completely out of line.
Why did Kawhi Leonard drop out of Team USA?
All was going well through the first few weeks of training camp and scrimmages. Kawhi even spoke about his health and how the previous season had passed.
“Yeah. But I took the time, and I was able to turn around over the last two weeks. So, I’m out here now and, yeah, I’m having a good time,” Hill said. “Last year, I tried to play as much as possible, felt great. And at a certain period of time, I couldn’t go. I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. I don’t want to be in a situation that I do be in, but I got to take it for what it is. And a lot of people are watching, supporters or doubters, but I motivate a lot of people.”
However, before the team could begin its practice matches, news dropped that Leonard would not continue with the team. Eventually, ESPN got a hold of Team USA’s executive director and former number 1 overall pick, Grant Hill, to discuss the decision.
“We just felt that we had to pivot, and not to get into the particulars, in terms of what went into the decision, but we just felt it was in our best interest, but also in the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s best interest, to move into a different direction,” Hill said. “We tried. I think we all tried and we gave it a valiant effort, and unfortunately, we have to move forward.”
Without Leonard in the mix, Team USA replaced him with Derrick White, who is coming off playing a crucial role for the Boston Celtics in their NBA Finals run. The decisions created controversy since White’s teammate, Jaylen Brown, solidified himself as an elite wing player and was Finals MVP, but he wasn’t selected.
Team USA’s decision to replace Leonard has raised further controversy beyond the selection of the 12th member of the roster. The Clippers aren’t happy with how it was portrayed either.
Clippers Deny Team USA’s Reasoning
During a media availability in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank addressed Leonard being dropped from Team USA., describing his team’s reaction as being “very disappointed.”
“It was USAB’s call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision,” Frank told reporters in Las Vegas on Monday. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play.”
Frank even noted further confusion, considering how Leonard looked while participating with Team USA during training camp in Las Vegas.
“He looked very good, was a full participant in everything that they did,” Frank said. “I wasn’t there for the third practice, where ultimately, that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction. I expressed then, I really wished that they would have given Kawhi more time.”
Another element to consider is that the Clippers have worked with Leonard for five years and helped him throughout various major injuries. If either side has expertise on the superstar’s body, it would be them, not Team USA.
“We have the benefit of having been around Kawhi for five years to see his body, see where he’s at. He looked good to me,” Frank said. “I know all the sacrifices he made in order to make this commitment to the Olympics. So it was very disappointing.”
Regardless, Frank respects that Team USA has the power to make whatever decision is determined to be the correct one from the decision maker’s perspective.
“I understand USAB’s perspective that they have to look at what they feel is in the best interest of the team, despite what I think,” Frank said.
“They’re also managing some other players who are dealing with injuries, so, I understand that they have to do what’s best, “Frank concluded. “You have to move forward. We support USAB. Desperately want to see them win the gold medal. I know that’s how Kawhi feels, too.”
With Leonard already 34, it’s difficult to envision him participating in the next Olympics in 2028 since he will be 38 by then. However, surely he’d enjoy doing so as a Los Angeles native representing his country in front of his hometown.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
Most Popular
Comments / 0