The Clippers are usually not completely satisfied about Group USA sending Kawhi Leonard house. The workforce has additionally taken difficulty with USA Basketball suggesting they performed a task within the resolution.
USA Basketball govt director Grant Hill has since mentioned the choice to drag Leonard got here from his finish, however Group USA’s preliminary assertion recommended the Clippers have been additionally concerned.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the previous a number of weeks and had a couple of robust practices in Las Vegas,” the assertion launched on July 10 learn. “He felt able to compete. Nonetheless, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers decided it’s in his greatest curiosity to spend the rest of the summer time making ready for the upcoming season fairly than collaborating within the Olympic Video games in Paris.”
Nonetheless, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank now says his workforce didn’t help the choice.
“It was USAB’s name, and I used to be, fairly frankly, very dissatisfied with the choice,” Frank advised reporters. “Kawhi needed to play. We needed him to play.”
Leonard had been coping with knee irritation and soreness, so many assumed his withdrawal was due to that. However Frank isn’t satisfied.
“I used to be there the primary two practices,” Frank mentioned when requested if Leonard had a setback along with his knee damage. “He regarded superb, was a full participant in every little thing that they did. I wasn’t there for the third apply, the place finally, that was the purpose the place they determined to go in a unique path. I expressed then, I actually wished that they might have given Kawhi extra time.
“We take pleasure in having been round Kawhi for 5 years to see his physique, see the place he’s at. He regarded good to me. I do know all of the sacrifices he made as a way to make this dedication to the Olympics. So it was very disappointing.”
Celtics guard Derrick White will now take Leonard’s place.
READ MORE: Derrick White Relishing Alternative With Group USA
