Simply final week, the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce took a tough choice of letting go of Kawhi Leonard as he was nonetheless affected by the identical knee damage that stored him out of the Clippers’ final video games of final season in April. Now, midway the world over in Abu Dhabi, they appear to be in an analogous predicament with famous person Kevin Durant.
The Suns ahead missed observe once more this previous Saturday with a calf pressure and appears unlikely to play in opposition to Australia in a pleasant set for Monday. Regardless of his scenario, coach Steve Kerr publicly downplayed any concern surrounding his participant, and assures that KD might be prepared for motion within the Olympics.
“I do know there’s nonetheless a few weeks earlier than we have now to decide roster-wise,” mentioned the Golden State tactician forward of their two tune-up matches this week. “So we’re simply taking it daily.”
Steve Kerr confirms to @FadeawayWorld that Kevin Durant won’t be collaborating in Workforce USA’s sport in opposition to Australia tomorrow
“He will not play tomorrow. I’ve not talked to the coach but when he does something, it will be mild. However yeah, he will not play.” pic.twitter.com/nCmp9H0Zcq
— Ishaan Bhattacharya (@IshaanBhatta) July 14, 2024
At the very least for now, the squad doesn’t appear to have a backup plan in case the veteran’s well being doesn’t enhance earlier than heading to Paris. “It’s not one thing we’ve even mentioned at this level as a result of we really feel good that [Durant] goes to be OK,” Kerr defined this weekend.
Durant didn’t touch upon his present scenario, however was requested if he considers this partnership with Stephen Curry and LeBron James to be the “final hurrah” for the famous person trio. “Nah,” he advised ESPN with a smile on Saturday.
“These guys are nonetheless enjoying at an elite degree. I really feel like Bron may play 4 or 5 extra and be right here in 2028 in [the Los Angeles Olympics]. Steph’s nonetheless enjoying nice ball. I’m doing all proper, too,” he assured. “I don’t need this to be a farewell tour or make it nearly us three. It’s about making an attempt to win this fifth in a row.”
As for Curry, he’s enthusiastic about this chance forward of his Olympic debut. “Yeah, it’s actually cool,” he mentioned. “I’ve performed with Workforce USA earlier than on the world championship stage, however I don’t know what to anticipate on the subject of this problem and this expertise. And so I had the first-practice jitters. I’m certain I’ll have it for the sport [Wednesday] simply because I do know it means a lot.”
Boston star arrives to Workforce USA’s coaching camp in Abu Dhabi to exchange injured Kawhi Leonard forward of Olympic Video games
Derrick White was visiting his household in Denver, Colorado when he acquired the decision from the lads’s basketball workforce saying he was being summoned to play for his nation within the upcoming Olympic Video games in Paris. In keeping with the Celtics star, he was planning on spending this week at a desert resort on the ocean, particularly in Cabo, Mexico.
Now, he’s already landed in Abu Dhabi on the Arabian Gulf and is on the brink of characterize Workforce USA on the game’s greatest stage in France. 4 days earlier than his arrival on Sunday, he had been notified that Kawhi Leonard wanted to get replaced as he continues to recuperate from his knee damage.
Derrick already knew from earlier than that he was thought of a prime candidate for a spot within the roster, however he didn’t obtain the official name because the Clippers participant had already reported to coaching camp and was feeling nicely in the course of the squad’s first practices in Las Vegas.
“I sort of figured it out when everyone else found out when [ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski] tweeted it, after which me and my agent have been speaking about it slightly bit by way of the summer time,” White revealed. “However I had assumed that Kawhi was going to proceed. However then once I seen all that occurred and I received the decision, I used to be able to go.”
