Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue has expressed steadfast confidence that Kawhi Leonard, the team’s star forward, will be ready for the upcoming training camp set to begin on October 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Leonard, who struggled with knee issues last season, was forced to sit out the final eight regular-season games due to inflammation. These knee problems also kept him out of pivotal playoff matchups against the Dallas Mavericks.
Lue has maintained close communication with Leonard and sounds optimistic about the forward's return. "I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp," Lue said. He emphasized Leonard’s progress, stating, "He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready for training camp."
Kawhi's Olympic Dreams Dashed
In July, Leonard participated in a mini camp with Team USA in Las Vegas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Despite his full participation and apparent readiness, he was eventually replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White on the Olympic roster. The Clippers' president, Lawrence Frank, voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision to exclude Leonard from Team USA.
"It was USAB's call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision," Frank commented. "Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices. He looked very good. Participated, was a full participant in everything that they did."
Frank, emphasizing his belief in Leonard’s readiness, added, "I expressed to them, I really wish that they would have given Kawhi more time. We have the benefit of having been around Kawhi for five years to see his body and see where he's at. So, he looked good to me."
Challenges Amidst Roster Changes
While Leonard remains a cornerstone of the Clippers’ aspirations, the team has faced significant changes in its roster. Notably, Paul George, a vital player for the Clippers, departed to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. Ty Lue acknowledged the challenges this brings but viewed it as an opportunity for further motivation.
"When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people [think] oh, they can't win or they're not going to be competitive," Lue said. "But that just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]."
New Beginnings in a New Arena
Despite the turbulence of the offseason, the Clippers are looking forward to a fresh start. The team will inaugurate their new arena on October 23 with a much-anticipated game against the Phoenix Suns. The new venue symbolizes a new era for the franchise, presenting the Clippers with an opportunity to redefine their path and establish a renewed sense of home-court advantage.
The upcoming training camp and the subsequent season hold significant promise for the Clippers and their supporters. With Leonard's return, the excitement around the new arena, and the desire to prove doubters wrong, the stage is set for a compelling chapter in the Clippers’ history. Whether they can navigate the complex landscape of the NBA and emerge as serious contenders remains to be seen, but the elements for an intriguing storyline are undoubtedly in place.