The Los Angeles Clippers are gearing up for an important season, with head coach Ty Lue expressing confidence that star forward Kawhi Leonard will be fully ready when their training camp begins on October 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Leonard, who struggled with knee problems last season, missed the final eight regular-season games and pivotal playoff matchups due to inflammation that hampered his performance.
Kawhi's Road to Recovery
Leonard's journey back to the court has been closely monitored by the Clippers' management and medical staff. Head coach Ty Lue reassured fans and the media, stating, "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." This optimistic outlook is a crucial development for the team, which relies heavily on Leonard's presence on both ends of the floor.
Leonard's absence last season was felt deeply, particularly during the playoffs where the Clippers faced the Dallas Mavericks without their star player. Subsequently, Leonard's knee issues also kept him from participating in the Tokyo Olympics. Despite his participation in a mini camp with Team USA in Las Vegas, the decision to leave him off the Olympic roster was met with disappointment from the Clippers' camp.
Disappointment at the Olympic Exclusion
Clippers president Lawrence Frank did not hide his dissatisfaction with Team USA's decision to exclude Leonard from the Olympic roster. "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 remarked. He further 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."
Frank’s comments underscore the importance of Leonard's health and readiness for the Clippers as they seek to make a deep playoff run this season.
Adjusting Without Paul George
The Clippers also face another significant change with the departure of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. This move has certainly altered the landscape for the Clippers, who will now need to adjust their strategies and rely more heavily on their remaining roster.
Ty Lue has turned the loss of George into a motivating factor for the team. "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 said.
Looking Ahead to the New Season
As the Clippers prepare for the start of their training camp in Honolulu, all eyes will be on Kawhi Leonard's progress and the integration of new players into the system. The team's new arena, set to be inaugurated on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns, adds another layer of excitement to the upcoming season.
The Clippers are poised to overcome the challenges ahead, with the hope that Leonard's return to full health and the motivation derived from recent changes will drive them to success. Ty Lue and Lawrence Frank's confidence in their star forward's readiness and the team’s overall potential speaks volumes about their commitment to making a profound impact in the league this season.
This season promises to be a test of resilience and adaptability for the Clippers, but with Leonard back in the fold and a renewed sense of purpose, they are set to face the challenges head-on.