Simply final week, the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce took a troublesome resolution of letting go of Kawhi Leonard as he was nonetheless affected by the identical knee harm that saved 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 identical predicament with celebrity Kevin Durant.
The Suns ahead missed observe once more this previous Saturday with a calf pressure and appears unlikely to play towards 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 can be prepared for motion within the Olympics.
“I do know there’s nonetheless a few weeks earlier than we’ve got 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 is not going to be collaborating in Crew USA’s sport towards Australia tomorrow
“He will not play tomorrow. I’ve not talked to the coach but when he does something, it might be gentle. However yeah, he will not play.” pic.twitter.com/nCmp9H0Zcq
— Ishaan Bhattacharya (@IshaanBhatta) July 14, 2024
No less than 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 celebrity trio. “Nah,” he advised ESPN with a smile on Saturday.
“These guys are nonetheless enjoying at an elite stage. I really feel like Bron might 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 Crew USA earlier than on the world championship stage, however I don’t know what to anticipate with regards to 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 Crew USA’s coaching camp in Abu Dhabi to interchange injured Kawhi Leonard forward of Olympic Video games
Derrick White was visiting his household in Denver, Colorado when he obtained 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. Based on 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 symbolize Crew USA on the game’s largest 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 harm.
Derrick already knew from earlier than that he was thought-about 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 effectively throughout the squad’s first practices in Las Vegas.
“I sort of figured it out when all people else discovered when [ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski] tweeted it, after which me and my agent have been speaking about it slightly bit via the summer season,” White revealed. “However I had assumed that Kawhi was going to proceed. However then once I seen all that occurred and I acquired the decision, I used to be able to go.”
