Why is Kawhi withdrawing from the Team USA training camp?

[Baam]

[baseline bum]

Because playing for Team USA is stupid.

[Mal]

Contract year ahead. He has to make sure he is worth max.

[Bill_Brasky]

because playing for free?

[ColinB]

Too good.

[loveforthegame]

He was so excited to try out and wanted to make the team just last month. Hope his withdrawal is not due to injury like last time.

[Dex]

Because playing for Team USA is stupid.

I believe the technical term is "re ed".

[TE]

Probably has to do with his personal workouts (don't know exactly when those are going on).

But yeah, I'm actually glad he's withdrawing from this tournament. Less wear and tear.

[benstanfield]

Because unless it's the Olympics nobody gives a . If he has a breakout season he'll be at his leisure deciding whether he wants to go to Brazil and win a gold medal in 2016.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Because unless it's the Olympics nobody gives a . If he has a breakout season he'll be at his leisure deciding whether he wants to go to Brazil and win a gold medal in 2016.

Its like winning the Confederations Cup in futbol. Brazil won it last year and nobody gives a crap at this point.

Manu goes, people . Kawhi withdraws, people . Its just the way of things around here.

[SupremeGuy]

Because Leonard is setting an example for Manu?

[Ice009]

I have no problem with Leonard not playing. Hopefully it's got to do with his personal training and working on his game to get better.

Edit : Just read the article and it mentioned "soreness in his left knee through the season that required ice treatments after every game". Don't players usually ice after games anyway?

[Uriel]

Its like winning the Confederations Cup in futbol. Brazil won it last year and nobody gives a crap at this point.

Manu goes, people . Kawhi withdraws, people . Its just the way of things around here.

Umm... Kawhi is 23 and Manu is 36. The latter needs to rest his aging body. The former needs to develop his game.

[100%duncan]

Umm... Kawhi is 23 and Manu is 36. The latter needs to rest his aging body. The former needs to develop his game.

Ey bro u coming to the last home stand?

[TXstbobcat]

Sounds like he wants to get some rest before training camp starts.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Umm... Kawhi is 23 and Manu is 36. The latter needs to rest his aging body. The former needs to develop his game.

Develop his game. Wouldn't be working with Chip and his trainer this summer be more beneficial to him. I have never seen a guy go to Int'l compe ion and come back better. Its not like Diaw, who can be lazy and needs that push to stay in Shape.

Kawhi already has that determination of wanting to get better every year, w or wo playing in some meaning less tournament after winning the FMVP.

[100%duncan]

Kawhi also probably thought that those monkeyballers will get accepted before him tbh. He doesn't have time for that, better to enjoy the vacation.

[loveforthegame]

Is he still playing in that exhibition game in the Philippines?

[Pako]

Probably has to do with his personal workouts (don't know exactly when those are going on).

But yeah, I'm actually glad he's withdrawing from this tournament. Less wear and tear.

This. I think it was reported before that he is suppose to work out with Tim Grover this off season....

[hooperflash]

Probably has to do with his personal workouts (don't know exactly when those are going on).

But yeah, I'm actually glad he's withdrawing from this tournament. Less wear and tear.

Just like I thought he would, atta boy Whi-whi.

[Jimcs50]

Develop his game. Wouldn't be working with Chip and his trainer this summer be more beneficial to him. I have never seen a guy go to Int'l compe ion and come back better. Its not like Diaw, who can be lazy and needs that push to stay in Shape.

Kawhi already has that determination of wanting to get better every year, w or wo playing in some meaning less tournament after winning the FMVP.

this

[024]

Not too surprising. No one cares about FIBA. The 2010 team basically fielded USA's B team. Leonard also has a history of knee soreness and he just played a long ass season. Glad to see him rest up and work on his game.

One thing international play is good for though is networking. Leonard could be out there planting seeds for the next Spurs FA acquisition after Duncan and Manu retire. But knowing Leonard's personality, that's probably not on his mind right now. Hopefully he continues improving every year and he should make the 2016 olympic team.

[Gervin44Silas13]

Thats good news...stay and rest sugar K

[crc21209]

Also missing from the original pool is NBA Finals MVP*Kawhi Leonard*of San Antonio and Portland All-Star forwardLaMarcus Aldridge, who was expected to play this summer. Colangelo said Leonard wanted additional rest after the Spurs' lengthy season. He did not give a reason for the absence of Aldridge, who has pulled out in the past.


http://m.espn.go.com/wireless/story?storyId=11213102

[FromWayDowntown]

He's a smart guy, he's got NBA and team-oriented goals, and he seems -bent on achieving them:

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...iba-world-cup/

Watching the struggles teammate Tony Parker experienced during the 2014-15 Spurs season after competing for the French national team in last summer’s Eurobasket tournament, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard made what he called a very difficult decision to withdraw from compe ion for a spot on the United States team that will compete in the FIBA World Cup in Spain later this summer.

* * * *


I went through those two seasons going down to June 20,” Leonard said. “That’s tough on your body to keep going. I’m just learning from Tony and Manu (Ginobili), just going into that off-season and playing so hard and then coming back and their bodies not feeling the same and then being tired for the regular season. So I’m just learning from them.”