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SPORTS Saturday 28 July 2018
On Basketball: Kawhi Leonard

makes mistake skipping Vegas

By TIM REYNOLDS ard isn't a big talker. He it's bigger than the NBA. His
AP Basketball Writer hasn't updated his pub- predecessor as U.S. coach,
LAS VEGAS (AP) — This is a lic Facebook page since Mike Krzyzewski, went to
misstep for Kawhi Leonard. 2012. He hasn't posted to West Point. Blake Griffin,
He should be in Las Vegas. Twitter since 2015. In this one of the many All-Stars
The saga about his future is day and age, that's almost playing in camp, said it's "a
done and settled, at least admirable on some level. pride thing" to show up and
for the next 12 months. There will be a day, though, compete. Kevin Love and
He's with the Toronto Rap- when Leonard will get Kyrie Irving weren't play- In this March 12, 2016, file photo, San Antonio Spurs forward
tors. He got at least half of asked the questions that ing, but they were there to Kawhi Leonard talks with coach Gregg Popovich during the
his wish fulfilled in that he's he's apparently dreading. show their face and show second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the
Oklahoma City Thunder in San Antonio.
been traded out of San An- Maybe at Raptors media support. Associated Press
tonio, even if it wasn't to his day in Toronto in a couple Leonard could have at
preferred Los Angeles. So months. Maybe on those least done that much.
there's no reason to still be two days when the Raptors Let's be clear, Leonard is
silent, no reason to hide, and Spurs play next season. not the only invitee who
no reason to remain as a Definitely on the trip when isn't at camp. LeBron James
now-international man of he has to go to San Antonio isn't here. Nor are Stephen
mystery. for the first time as an op- Curry and Klay Thompson.
Apparently, Leonard ponent. Nor are about 10 other
doesn't see it that way. If he's looking to avoid guys who got asked to at-
He declined an invitation those, he's putting off the tend.
to be with USA Basketball inevitable. Popovich, who said last
this week for its two-prac- Leonard just turned 27 week he looked forward
tice minicamp in Las Ve- about a month ago. He to seeing Leonard in Las
gas, for reasons that only likely isn't even near his Vegas, wasn't bothered by
he truly knows. The semi- prime yet and he's already the no-shows.
official story is that he's fo- been an NBA Finals MVP. "People have lives," Popo-
cused on preparing for his His talent has been cel- vich said. "We had a good
move to Toronto. OK, fair ebrated for years. If he is number of people here
enough. It's a major event so inclined, he could have and the people who were
for anyone to pack up a a spot on the 2020 Olym- invited that aren't here
home and move to a dif- pic team and likely come have reasons, whether it's
ferent country. home from Tokyo with injury or personal things go-
But that's not enough to a gold medal. He might ing on in their lives. And we
keep him out of this camp. have been there in 2016 if understand that."
There are only three legiti- he hadn't dropped out a James said he had a hand
mate reasons why Leonard month or so before the Rio injury during the NBA Finals,
wouldn't be here. The first Games began. has since signed with the
is that the leg injury that "This was a very difficult Los Angeles Lakers and is
limited him to nine games decision," Leonard said at focusing more on himself
last season has not healed the time. "It's an honor to and his family right now
sufficiently enough to al- have been considered for than anything else.
low him to play, a notion the team and I hope that Curry and Thompson have
that should frighten the in the future I will have the gone to the finals in each
Raptors. The second he's chance to represent my of the last four seasons and
just scared, a notion that country by playing for USA probably want some seri-
should frighten the Raptors. Basketball." ous downtime.
The third is he doesn't care, That time is now. But Leonard, well, it's un-
a notion that should also Playing for your country is a clear why he's not here.
frighten the Raptors. big deal to people. Popov- Whatever his reason, it's not
He could have gotten a ich, a graduate of the U.S. a good look for him.q
slew of things out of the Air Force Academy, said
way this week. Shown the
world that he's fit enough
to play again. Answered
questions about his excite-
ment level for the move
to Toronto and why he
wanted out of San Anto-
nio. Had that awkward first
post-trade interaction with
Spurs coach Gregg Popo-
vich, the new USA Basket-
ball coach. Closed a lot of
chapters that need end-
ings.
Instead, just more silence.
It's well-known that Leon-