Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue is optimistic as the team gears up for the start of their training camp on October 1 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Integral to this optimism is the anticipated return of star forward Kawhi Leonard, who has grappled with knee issues since last season. These issues sidelined him for the final eight regular-season games and kept him out of crucial playoff contests against the Dallas Mavericks.
Nearly a year since those setbacks, Lue has been in consistent communication with Leonard and is confident about his readiness for the upcoming season. "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's absence extended beyond the NBA, impacting his potential participation in the Tokyo Olympics. A mini-camp stint with Team USA in Las Vegas earlier this year reignited hopes, but ultimately, he was sidelined. The ultimate decision left Clippers president Lawrence Frank disappointed. "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 expressed.
The decision to exclude Leonard from the Olympic roster was a point of contention for Frank, who felt that more time should have been allotted for Leonard's full assessment. "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," Frank continued.
Adding to the team's adjustments, Paul George has departed the Clippers, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. The loss of George, a key player for the Clippers, has undoubtedly shaken the team's dynamics. Yet, Lue remains undeterred and views it as an opportunity to push the team further. "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 remarked.
As the Clippers prepare for their training camp, the focus will be on building a cohesive unit ready to contend in the highly competitive NBA landscape. The anticipation is palpable as the team also looks forward to inaugurating their new arena on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns. If Leonard can return to his peak performance and the team regroups seamlessly without George, the Clippers might very well exceed the tempered expectations set by skeptics.
The next few weeks in Honolulu will be crucial for the Clippers. Training camp will not only set the foundation for a successful season but will also test Leonard's comeback trail post-injury. The resolve of the team, led by Ty Lue's determined mindset and Leonard's rehabilitation progress, will be closely monitored as they embark on this new chapter.