Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Clippers' head coach, Ty Lue, has expressed strong confidence that star forward Kawhi Leonard will be back in top form as the team gears up for training camp. Scheduled to commence on October 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Leonard's return from last season's debilitating knee problems is highly anticipated by fans and the team alike.
Leonard's Knee Troubles
Last season, Leonard's persistent knee issues reared their head at a critical juncture, causing him to miss the final eight games of the regular season. The inflammatory condition that sidelined him also led to his absence from crucial playoff matchups against the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the setback, Leonard managed to participate in a mini camp with Team USA in Las Vegas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July.
However, his Olympic dreams were dashed as his knee problems continued to be a concern. Leonard was ultimately replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White for the Tokyo-bound squad, a decision that left Clippers president Lawrence Frank visibly disappointed. “It was USAB's call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision. 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 said, reflecting on the exclusion.
Frank emphasized, "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."
Paul George's Departure
Adding to the Clippers' offseason drama, star forward Paul George opted to leave the team during free agency, joining the Philadelphia 76ers. This significant loss has undoubtedly reshaped the team dynamics. Ty Lue's resolve, however, remains unwavering. "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. 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]," Lue asserted, alluding to the upcoming season's potential challenges and his determination to excel.
New Beginnings and Optimism
The Clippers aim to turn a new page with their forthcoming training camp and an additional milestone: the inauguration of their new arena on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns. This event marks a new chapter for the franchise, one that they hope will be filled with competitive fire and resilience, key virtues exemplified by their head coach.
"I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready for training camp," Lue stated regarding Leonard. This confidence from the head coach will undoubtedly bolster the morale within the team and the fanbase, eager to see the star forward back in action.
The Clippers' journey in the upcoming season will be closely watched, not just because of the return of Kawhi Leonard, but also to see how they fill the void left by Paul George. A successful re-entry for Leonard could indeed catapult the Clippers back into the conversation as a formidable contender in the Western Conference.