Stephen A. Smith isn’t exactly a big fan of Los Angeles Clippers superstar forward and elite two-way weapon (and 2024 Team USA hopeful) Kawhi Leonard. The Klaw caught a stray again from the ESPN personality while Smith was discussing Joel Embiid’s presence for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
(h/t Will Eudy of Clipperholics)
In discussing Embiid, Smith acknowledged he was surprised that the 76ers’ big man traveled to Paris healthy, while comparing his availability to that of Kawhi’s. “Nobody misses more games than Kawhi Leonard,” said Stephen A. “[Leonard] invents ways to get hurt.”
It can be recalled that Leonard was supposed to be with LeBron James and Team USA in the Summer Games but he ended up withdrawing due to a concern about his knee.
While undeniably talented, Leonard’s career has also been defined by injuries. He has not played in more than 60 games in a regular season since the 2-16-17 campaign. He even missed the entire 2021-22 season because of an ACL injury and appeared in just a total of four playoff games since last year.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” a statement from Team USA read last July about Leonard’s withdrawal (via Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times).
“He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it’s in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
Nevertheless, Team USA still looks like the favorite to win the gold after barging into the quarterfinal round amid a 3-0 record in group play.
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