Ty Lue, head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, has expressed clear confidence that star forward Kawhi Leonard will be ready when the team's training camp kicks off on October 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. "I speak to him all the time. He'll be ready for [Clippers] training camp. He's feeling good and I know he'll be ready for training camp," Lue assured.
Leonard, who struggled with knee issues last season, missed the final eight regular-season games due to inflammation. These knee problems also kept him out of crucial playoff matchups against the Dallas Mavericks, a blow that the Clippers felt keenly. Despite these setbacks, Leonard managed to participate in a mini-camp with Team USA in Las Vegas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July, involved in full practice sessions. However, his hopes of competing in Tokyo were dashed when he was replaced by Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
The decision to exclude Leonard from the Olympic team did not sit well with the Clippers' president, Lawrence Frank, who voiced his frustration. "It was USAB's call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision. Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices. He looked very good. Participated, was a full participant in everything that they did," Frank stated. He further elaborated, "I expressed to them, I really wish that they would have given Kawhi more time. We have the benefit of having been around Kawhi for five years to see his body and see where he's at. So, he looked good to me."
In addition to Leonard's injury saga, the Clippers faced another pivotal moment this offseason with the departure of Paul George, who left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. This has prompted discussions regarding the team's ability to remain competitive. However, Ty Lue remains undeterred by such doubts. "When you lose a guy of Paul George's stature, instantly people [think] oh, they can't win or they're not going to be competitive. But that just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don't think we're going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of [motivation]," Lue said, signaling his unflinching resolve.
The Clippers are gearing up for a pivotal season, starting with their training camp in Honolulu, a location that offers both seclusion and focus ahead of the bustling NBA season. The team is also set to inaugurate their new arena on October 23 against their formidable rivals, the Phoenix Suns, marking a significant chapter in the franchise's history. The new venue is expected to bring a fresh wave of energy and enthusiasm to the Clippers fanbase and the players alike.
As the team prepares to overcome the setbacks of last season and the loss of a key player, the focus will be on Leonard's health and capacity to lead the team on the court. His recovery and readiness for the upcoming season are not just crucial for the Clippers' campaign but also a testament to the resilience and determination that Leonard embodies. The internal belief within the Clippers' camp, steered by Lue’s and Frank’s unwavering confidence, could serve as the cornerstone for a season that defies the odds and reestablishes the team as a formidable Western Conference contender.
This upcoming season promises to be a test of endurance, strategy, and skill for the Clippers. The combination of overcoming past injuries, integrating new team dynamics post-George's departure, and ushering in a new era in a state-of-the-art arena sets the stage for what could be one of the most compelling narratives in the NBA. As the Clippers head into their training camp, all eyes will be on Leonard’s pivotal return and the team's quest to rise above the adversities that have marked their recent journey. Expectations are high, and come October 1, the Clippers will begin the first steps towards achieving a season of redemption and triumph.