“If I’m Steve Ballmer, I’m doing everything to sabotage that”: Stephen A. Smith makes controversial remarks on Kawhi Leonard’s Team USA selection
On Wednesday, LA Clippers superstar forward Kawhi Leonard secured Team USA's 12th and final roster spot for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. However, amid Leonard's latest injury setback, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith says the Clippers should prevent him from participating in the international competition.
The six-time All-Star last played on March 31, missing the regular season's final eight games due to right knee inflammation. He reportedly received around-the-clock treatment to be ready to return by the start of the playoffs.
Nonetheless, Leonard was ruled out for Game 1 of LA's first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Meanwhile, his status for Tuesday's Game 2 remains mirky, as according to Clippers coach Ty Lue, he still hasn't engaged in contact drills.
This marks a long-running trend for the 32-year-old, who has been riddled with injuries since signing with LA in 2019 free agency.
On ESPN's "NBA Countdown" on Sunday, Smith brought attention to Leonard's extensive injury history. He noted that if he were Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, he would use it as grounds to try to stop him from joining Team USA this summer.
"I've said it before and I'mma say it again, if I'm Steve Ballmer, I'm doing everything to sabotage that," Smith said. "This man can't be available to me. Yet again we're walking into another playoff game and he's not available. I'm not questioning the legitimacy of his injury, I'm just saying, damn, it always happens!"
Smith later provided stats regarding how many games Leonard has missed since 2019 and how negatively his absences have affected the Clippers.
"Do you know since Kawhi Leonard arrived in 2019-20, he's missed 41% of the Clippers' regular-season games and 30% of their playoff games?" Smith said.
"In his time with the Clippers, they win 66% of the games when he's on the court, 168-87. Without him, they win 48% of their games, 83-89, ain't even a .500 team. He has that kind of a drastic effect on this franchise. ... [But], he's damn near never available when you need him."
It remains to be seen if and when Leonard will return this postseason. However, if he stays sidelined for the majority of another playoff run, playing for Team USA will likely be a tough sell for Clippers fans.
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Kawhi Leonard has reportedly waited years to make Team USA Olympic debut
Stephen A. Smith's controversial remarks about Kawhi Leonard's Team USA inclusion come after it was reported that he is eager to make his Olympic debut.
Leonard is one of two players (Philadelphia 76ers superstar center Joel Embiid) on Team USA's 12-man roster with zero international experience.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Mark Zeigler, the Clippers superstar has been interested in competing in the Olympics for a decade. However, an injury and the birth of his child prevented him from doing so.
Per USA Basketball’s managing director Grant Hill, Leonard has "been on board" with joining Team USA this summer "all the way." Meanwhile, Hill described him as a "no-brainer" roster selection amid the team's 2024 gold medal pursuit.
Considering this year may be Leonard's last chance to compete in the Olympics, it appears unlikely he would pass up the opportunity unless absolutely necessary.
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