For several years now, two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard has continually missed a lot of time due to injuries. The latest, though, has forced the Los Angeles Clippers to back out from Team USA, causing sports analyst Stephen A. Smith to get pissed at him.
Just recently, Team USA announced that Leonard will be withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic Games squad. The former San Antonio Spurs star had been participating in practices with the team in Las Vegas, but USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it would be in his best interest to skip the Olympics.

Boston Celtics’ Derrick White will replace Leonard on the Team USA roster. In the official statement, USA Basketball said Leonard has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks. However, he respects that both Team USA and the Clippers determined he should not participate in the Paris Olympics.
The decision was likely made to manage Leonard’s workload and allow him to focus on the upcoming NBA season with Los Angeles. He has a history of load management and injury concerns, so USA Basketball and the Clippers wanted to take a cautious approach. White, who has previous experience with the national team, will now fill Leonard’s spot on the 2024 Olympic roster.
The Main Reason Why Stephen A. Smith is Pissed at Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard

Leonard’s decision to back out from the 2024 Paris Olympics has led to various reactions online and from different personalities. Among them is Smith, as seen in a video shared by The OG Show’s official Instagram account.
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Leonard’s NBA career has been marked by recurring injuries to his ankle, thigh, and knee. Starting from a 2017 ankle sprain against the Warriors, he has dealt with long absences due to right thigh tendinopathy, missing the entire 2017-18 season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Despite these setbacks, Leonard has won two NBA titles and Finals MVPs, showcasing his immense talent when healthy. In any case, the Clippers star may need to focus more on his health while Team USA starts its gold medal bid soon in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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