In collaboration with the Los Angeles Clippers, Team USA removed two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard from its roster for the Paris Olympics, citing chronic soreness in his surgically repaired right knee.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Leonard told reporters when asked on media day how soon he might be able to play. “Everything’s been going great for the past month, but they’re being very cautious for reasons.”
For reasons.
Probably because Leonard’s knee has kept him from participating fully in the last three postseasons. He told gathered media on Monday that the team wants to ensure his health for the “important moments.”
Well, the Clippers lost Paul George to free agency over the summer, and they could very well be fighting for a spot in the playoffs all season. It remains to be seen how many important moments there are in L.A.
To ESPN’s Ohm Youngmusik for more clarity:
Kawhi Leonard says the inflammation in his knee is something that he could have to deal with for rest of his career but he says he and medical staff have a handle on it and are doing what is needed to keep it from being something that will be an issue down the road.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) September 30, 2024
So much for clarity. How could anything be both “something that he could have to deal with for the rest of his career” and not “something that will be an issue down the road”? Nothing to see there, I guess.
The Clippers replaced George with a hodgepodge of Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn and Kevin Porter Jr., and Norman Powell, for one, does not anticipate much slippage from one season to the next.
Norman Powell on the Clippers losing Paul George:
“I saw it as addition by subtraction. More guys getting opportunities, including myself…”
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) September 30, 2024
OK, then. Good luck with that. At least James Harden will give us a cold dose of reality …
James Harden on the new-look Clippers’ style of play this season: “It’s definitely going to involve a lot of me. There was talk when I was in Houston… ‘You can’t win like that.’ You just saw a guy [Luka Doncic] last season make the Finals playing the same exact way I played.” pic.twitter.com/X1x0zn2wpT
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) September 30, 2024
Or not. Fun fact: James Harden turned 35 years old in August. Luka Dončić is 25.
