Steph Curry has addressed Kawhi Leonard’s sudden removing from Staff USA, which got here simply two weeks out from the Olympics.
Leonard didn’t seem like totally wholesome when he reported for nationwide obligation, and this week Staff USA made the choice to ship him house in favour of Derrick White.
“I do know he needed to play,” Curry advised reporters. “Hopefully, for the long run, he’s in 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.”
Staff USA govt director Grant Hill mentioned Leonard being despatched house was the crew’s choice.
“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 distinct route,” Hill mentioned on Wednesday. “We tried. I feel 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 trying to play within the Olympics regardless of commonly struggling to get via an NBA season wholesome.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever been extra pissed off at a dude carrying Staff USA uniform,” Smith mentioned on The OGs podcast. “Keep in mind how excited he was once they got here to him and Grant Hill and them put him on Staff 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 Staff USA. For one purpose and one purpose solely, I don’t belief that you just’re going to depart wholesome.”
READ MORE: The Cellphone Name That Led to LeBron James and Steph Curry Becoming a member of Staff USA
