It’s interesting that I’ve yet to hear an answer on why Kawhi Leonard, who was said to be healthy and participated in all 4 Team USA practices earlier this month, was pulled at the last minute the way he was by Team USA.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant has just started practicing 2 weeks after camp, is still not playing in games, but remains on the team.
I know folks are going to take this as hate or some kind of shot at KD. It’s not. At all. He’s an all-timer and I’m glad he’s getting the time and opportunity to recover and get ready for the Olympics. I hope he’s 100% and plays well like we’re used to seeing him on the big stage.
There’s also been zero answer as to why Kawhi was not afforded the same time to get to the level of basketball he wanted to. Again, he was practicing and scrimmaging with the team 2 weeks ago. He said he felt great. Coaches said he felt great and looked good with room for improvement. He and the Clippers fully intended on having him play in the Olympics. Just baffling stuff.
https://x.com/TomerAzarly/status/1815531160732409998
by JimmyV34
16 Comments
People keep saying Nike. My take is they wouldn’t even have allowed him to join in the first place if they really had it out for him. Are we sure it’s not just LeBron and co. don’t f with him and the vibes were off in Vegas? Pretty shitty reason to kick him out but to me it’s gotta be something that happened during camp, or else they wouldn’t have chosen him in the first place.
Either way, it’s the best outcome for Clipper fans. No setback and he doesn’t have to play meaningful minutes in the summer.
I agree. This is very odd to me and why I think Lawrence Frank did that impromptu press conference.
Oh shit are we on some JB Koolaid
U/sixdollarburglar
I think they didn’t like the optics of having this guy who is always injured win a gold medal. I can see both sides. Yeah I’d be stoked for kawhi, but how many jokes are gonna be made at the clips expense if he pulls off a whole summer of injury free basketball. He’s already an elite nba player he’s not gonna gain anything skill wise from playing on this team. Just give him time to prep for the season.
Leads me to believe the Clippers pulled him and are lying about it.
Kawhi not in that political basketball circle (y’all know exactly what I mean) and they hate it
He wasn’t healthy. It’s that simple. He hadn’t fully recovered from a surgical procedure that he recently had. One that the Clippers just can’t be truthful about as usual. He limped into Vegas leaning on a suitcase. Ty Lue is a coach on the squad. He probably saw that Kawhi wasn’t ready and relayed/recommended that Kawhi go home also. Let’s stop with the Nike nonsense. Antman wears Adidas. Embiid wears Skechers. No one is denying them
I think they just can’t afford having two players in the same position hurt. If KD’s healthy they’d probably give time for Kawhi to ramp up. They had to pick one between KD and Kawhi. KD is the GOAT in international games so it was a no brainer.
The world will never know when it comes to kawhi
I don’t think there is any conspiracy to it. I just think the PR behind it is wrong. They are being so vague when they don’t have to.
“He looked good” is what they said. Team USA is full of GREAT players. He wasn’t GREAT, he was good.
Kawhi doesn’t let anyone into his personal life, even most teammates. All people can do is speculate. That man doesn’t care. We shouldn’t either.
It wasn’t too long ago that Kawhi was suing Nike for copyright.
And Kawhi bailed on Jordan Brand when they low balled him on a contract extension.
Not to mention the guys that he would take minutes from would be Nike athletes – LBJ and Tatum.
KD needs to get some of the same shit Kawhi gets for his availability or lack there of.
Didn’t his trainer also say that kawhi wasn’t going to play his part on lebrons retirement tour? And now the whole team is playing through lebron when he shouldn’t be getting as many minutes in my opinion