The Los Angeles Clippers are gearing up for what promises to be an eventful new season, marked by the anticipation of star forward Kawhi Leonard's return to full fitness and their inaugural match at their new arena. Ty Lue, the Clippers' head coach, has expressed unwavering confidence that Leonard will be in top shape when the 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, signaling a positive outlook for the team’s mainstay player.
Leonard's recent history has been marred by knee issues that severely impacted his play last season. Plagued by knee inflammation, he was sidelined for the last eight regular-season games. His absence was equally felt during the significant playoff matchups against the Dallas Mavericks, further fanning speculation about his long-term fitness and capability to perform under pressure.
Despite these setbacks, Leonard's commitment to the game was evident when he took part in a mini camp with Team USA in Las Vegas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. However, a controversial decision by USA Basketball (USAB) saw him excluded from the final Olympic roster, a move met with disappointment by Clippers president Lawrence Frank.
"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 lamented. His frustration was palpable as he detailed how Leonard was assessed and ultimately passed over. "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."
The team's dynamics are also undergoing significant changes, not least with the departure of Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. This move has inevitably raised questions about the Clippers' competitive edge this season.
Ty Lue, however, remains undeterred by such skepticism. "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]," he declared, indicating a sense of renewed motivation to prove doubters wrong.
The upcoming season also promises a fresh start with the team ushering in their new arena with a grand opening on October 23 against the Phoenix Suns. This new home is expected to be a cornerstone for the Clippers, providing an invigorated environment to rally their fanbase and fortify their home-court advantage.
As the Clippers ready themselves for a new season, all eyes will inevitably be on Kawhi Leonard to see how he copes with the physical toll of elite basketball after a series of disruptive injuries. However, the steadfast confidence expressed by both Ty Lue and Lawrence Frank offers a hopeful narrative for fans and analysts alike, suggesting that the Clippers might indeed have the resilience and extraordinary talent needed to navigate through their challenges. The key dates of October 1 for training camp and October 23 for the arena inauguration are now circled on many calendars, marking the beginning of what could be a defining season for the Los Angeles Clippers.