Kawhi Leonard Faces Another Challenging Offseason
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is confronting another tough offseason as he deals with persistent inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Despite the team's best efforts, this issue has haunted Leonard and affected not only his availability but also the Clippers' fortunes in the postseason.
Leonard's struggles with knee inflammation became a significant concern during the first round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks last season. The inflammation was persistent and forced him to miss most of the crucial series, limiting his participation to just two games. As a result, the Clippers were ultimately unable to overcome the Mavericks and lost the series.
Since then, the Clippers' medical staff, along with various treatment experts, have been working tirelessly to manage Leonard's condition. The team has been cautious, looking to prevent a recurrence of inflammation that could again sideline one of their star players. According to Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ President of Basketball Operations, the team has been on a learning curve. “I think the encouraging thing is we've seen progress. This was a real tricky thing in terms of the inflammation. We're kind of searching for answers along the way, and with time we continue to learn more about what works, what hasn't. It's truly unfortunate that he's had to deal with this, but I think we're definitely trending in the right direction,” Frank said.
Managing the Load
To minimize the risk of inflammation recurrence, the Clippers plan to hold Leonard out of drills during the upcoming training camp. The focus has shifted to strengthening and loading his knee properly. Frank emphasized the deliberate and cautious approach the team is taking. "We're just really going to focus on strengthening and loading. I think we learned some lessons. Just if you think about it, he desperately wanted to come back and play in that Dallas series, and within a game and a half, the inflammation came where it wasn't manageable, so we don't want to put ourselves in that position," he stated.
The experience of the last season has been a sobering reminder for the Clippers of the delicate balance required in managing Leonard's playing time and rehabilitation. This offseason has been particularly intensive in terms of treatment and precautionary measures. “We got the knee in a really, really good place. [He came] back for Dallas [in the playoffs] and it has been manageable since. But we really, really spent the offseason trying to get this 100% and I think we're getting closer and closer,” Frank shared.
Nation vs. Club Dilemma
Despite his knee issues, Leonard took part in the USA Basketball training camp. However, the persistent worry about his knee led to a decision to prioritize his recovery. USA Basketball replaced Leonard with Derrick White, giving Leonard the opportunity to focus solely on his rehabilitation with the Clippers. This move underscores the significant concern surrounding his condition and the collective intent to have him fully fit for the regular season.
Continuous monitoring and advancement in treatment protocols are key elements in the Clippers' strategy. Frank highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Leonard's return timeline. "I think that the timing's all going to basically depend on how his knee responds to each phase. No one has a crystal ball," he acknowledged. The team's approach will be data-driven and responsive to Leonard's progress and setbacks.
The Clippers and their fans eagerly await Leonard's full recovery, understanding his importance to the team's success. For now, cautious optimism and patience remain the guiding principles as Leonard continues his journey back to the basketball court.