We talk a lot about the Lakers about the postponed matches, but the Clippers are also affected by the fires hitting Los Angeles. Certainly the franchise has moved to Inglewood, near the airport, but Tyronn Lue’s players live in the areas affected by the flames.
Like Kawhi Leonard, but also Nicolas Batum. On Wednesday, while the Clippers were in Denver, the Frenchman admitted that he was connected to his phone. Even during the match.
“The game in Denver was strange. The whole day was. I was on my phone with my family all day. I didn’t sleep that night [avant le match]. We didn’t know what was happening, if the fire was going to reach our house…” https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1878550709219840506. “My head wasn’t really at the match. I think I put my phone down three minutes before the game, just to make sure everything was okay. And I checked at halftime. We never do that, but I checked at halftime to make sure my wife and kids were OK. It was a strange time. »
At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the LA Times reported that Nicolas Batum had learned that his family would have to evacuate their Tarzana home because the Palisades fire was moving in that direction. “I wanted to go home”continues Nicolas Batum, interviewed after Sunday’s training. “But I was told my family was fine. For now we are lucky to be safe…I hope it stays that way. »
Kawhi Leonard, on the other hand, returned to his Pacific Palisades home on Tuesday to be with his family. “He’s fine, but about his house, you have to ask him” replies Tyronn Lue. “It’s a difficult situation for him, with what he has to face with his family and his home. We are here to support not only Kawhi but anyone in the community who needs help. We will be there to help and support. »
Basketball to take your mind off things a little
On Sunday, Kawhi Leonard was at training, but he did not speak to the press. “I know Kawhi left the team before that game in Denver to check on his situation”said teammate Terance Mann. “But we haven’t really heard from him. So, it’s good to see that he and his family are doing well. People still have trouble sleeping. Some no longer have electricity, others have family problems to resolve, some children’s school burned down. There’s a lot going on. This is way bigger than basketball. »
This evening, the Clippers will return to the field and their audience. They haven’t played since last Wednesday.
“We had two good practices in the last two days. On the basketball side, we have lost four of our last five games, so we have to win on Monday” warns Nicolas Batum. “We have a series of home games that we need to manage well, so the game against Miami will be crucial, and we need to focus on winning it. We’ve been going through some crazy times for five days, and I think people need to take their minds off things for two or three hours. »
The players too.
