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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Stephen Curry Reacts To Kawhi Leonard Withdrawing From Team USA

Stephen Curry Reacts To Kawhi Leonard Withdrawing From Team USA

Stephen Curry shared his true thoughts on Kawhi Leonard removing himself from Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Jul 12, 2024
4 Min Read
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Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard dropped out of Team USA’s training camp after the first few days in Las Vegas due to undisclosed reasons many believe is to do with the knee injury that left him incapable of participating in the Playoffs. Stephen Curry reacted to Leonard dropping out, appreciating the Clippers forward for his effort.

“Kawhi gave it everything he had when we were preparing the last few days of camp. There were conversations between USAB leadership, Kawhi, and his team to make sure he was set up for success.” 

Curry said that Kawhi wished the remaining group good luck while hoping that Kawhi is healthy by the time the season starts.

“Obviously, these are tough decisions, and I know he wanted to play, but it’s one of those things where he wished us luck and wanted us to go win Gold. Hopefully, for the long term, he’s in a good place because the game needs him. When he’s not out there, you miss an all-time great player. We hope he’s ready for this season.”

Steph Curry on Kawhi Leonard withdrawing from Team USA before the Olympics: “I know he wanted to play… Hopefully, for the long term, he’s in a good place because the game needs him. When he’s not out there, you miss an all-time great player. We hope he’s ready for this season.” pic.twitter.com/0M3S5UfLtD

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 11, 2024

Leonard has been replaced on the team by Derrick White, with USA Basketball prioritizing getting a low-maintenance replacement who can just fit into the system instead of a star player who would need to be featured within the flow of the offense. That could be the reason why Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, Jalen Brunson, and Damian Lillard, among others, were snubbed from the replacement spot.

Kawhi played just two games of the six-game first-round series against the Mavericks, with the Clippers losing both as Kawhi looked like a ghost of his best self. He needs the time off to get his knee working, as the Clippers won’t stand a chance of competing without him on the court, especially in light of Paul George’s departure.


Paul Pierce Thinks Kawhi Leonard Should Consider Retirement

Kawhi Leonard’s inability to stay healthy has prompted people to push him toward retirement. We’ve seen Stephen A. Smith do it at various points, but former NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce has weighed in with a similar thought.

“Knowing Kawhi’s history of injuries, I like that move. He probably has that itch, but I think it’s probably best for both parts that he pays that team that’s paying him money,” said Pierce. “Kawhi should really start thinking about retirement. I really do believe that. This is just for the guy’s health. He’s missed 44% of the games… You really got to think about the long run for yourself.”

Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season, getting an All-NBA nod for his performances. But if he has another season where he’s dominating in the regular season but unable to play in the postseason, the Clippers will need to evaluate how much longer they can wait for Leonard to put together a healthy postseason before moving on.

Retirement has been floated around by many who don’t know Leonard personally. He signed a three-year, $149.5 million contract which takes him through till 2028, so unless he’s completely incapable of playing again, Leonard will likely return to the court.

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TAGGED:Kawhi LeonardStephen CurryTeam USA
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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