Steph Curry has addressed Kawhi Leonard’s sudden elimination from Group USA, which got here simply two weeks out from the Olympics.
Leonard didn’t seem like completely wholesome when he reported for nationwide responsibility, and this week Group USA made the choice to ship him house in favour of Derrick White.
“I do know he needed to play,” Curry instructed reporters. “Hopefully, for the long run, he’s in an excellent place as a result of the sport wants him. When he’s not on the market, you miss an all-time nice participant. We hope he’s prepared for this season.”
Group USA govt director Grant Hill stated Leonard being despatched house was the workforce’s resolution.
“We simply felt that we needed to pivot, and to not get into the particulars, when it comes to what went into the choice, however we simply felt it was in our greatest curiosity, but in addition within the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s finest curiosity, to maneuver into a special path,” Hill stated on Wednesday. “We tried. I believe all of us tried and we gave it a valiant effort, and sadly, we’ve got to maneuver ahead.”
Leonard has attracted criticism, together with from ESPN character Stephen A. Smith, for making an attempt to play within the Olympics regardless of recurrently struggling to get by way of an NBA season wholesome.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever been extra pissed off at a dude sporting Group USA uniform,” Smith stated on The OGs podcast. “Bear in mind how excited he was once they got here to him and Grant Hill and them put him on Group USA? Have you learnt what number of video games you’ve missed?
“To be speaking about taking part in in the summertime, you would possibly get damage from the flight to Paris. I’m not letting you play. If I’m Steve Ballmer, I’ll use each means at my disposal to verify this man ain’t on Group USA. For one purpose and one purpose solely, I don’t belief that you just’re going to go away wholesome.”
READ MORE: The Telephone Name That Led to LeBron James and Steph Curry Becoming a member of Group USA
