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Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, right, talks to team owner Steve Ballmer before a playoff game in Dallas this spring. (Tim Heitman / NBAE via Getty Images)
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, reiterated Monday during a new conference in Las Vegas that it was Team USA’s decision to send Kawhi Leonard home last week and not have him participate in the Paris Olympics later this month.
Grant Hill, the managing director of USA Basketball, said last week that it was his organization’s decision to change course with Leonard after watching practice for three days in Las Vegas and said the decision was made in consultation with the Clippers and Leonard. In a news conference last Wednesday, Hill changed course and said he made the decision.
“It was USA’s call and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision,” Frank said. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good … was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn’t there for the third practice, where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction. I expressed to them that I really wish that they would’ve given Kawhi more time.”
Frank said that because Leonard has been with the Clippers the last five years, they know how he takes care of his body. The Clippers felt Leonard was healthy enough to play in the Olympics.
“So, he looked good to me,” Frank said. “I know all the sacrifices he made in order to make this commitment to the Olympics, so it was very disappointing. Now with that being said, I understand from USA’s perspective that they have to look [at] what they feel is in the best interest of the team despite what I think. They’re also managing some other players who are dealing with injuries, so I understand that they have to do what’s best.
“But we were really disappointed for Kawhi and this is something we really wanted for him. But with that being said, now I think you have to move forward.”
Read more: ‘Up and down practices’ prompt Kawhi Leonard to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lawrence-frank-says-clippers-disappointed-230935591.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-07-15 23:09:35
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