FIBA World Cup 2014 Teams & Dates: Kawhi Leonard Withdraws From Team USA; Why?

Several fans were disappointed to discover that the 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will not be joining Team USA for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

In a report by the Washington Post, Leonard made a statement on SanAntonio.com, saying that "This was a very difficult decision. I want to go out and compete the guys from these other countries but I need the time to heal and just rest my body from the long season."

According to Leonard, he was cautious after seeing fellow Spurs Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker physically struggle in the season after they joined off-season tournaments. He said in a Yahoo! Sports report, "I went through those two seasons going down to June 20. That's tough on your body to keep going. I'm just learning from Tony and Manu, 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."

LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers also withdrew from the FIBA competition, also saying that he needed to spend the summer resting to prepare for the 2014-2015 NBA season. According to USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo, as noted by NBA.com, "We can only offer an opportunity, and then they can either accept or not. In Aldridge's case, this has happened a couple of times previously. But the bottom line is he advised us that he's not available."

Leonard did not say that Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, advised him to stay out of the FIBA competitions. In 2013, Popovich ordered Tony Parker to stay on the bench for two weeks after the point guard competed in behalf of France at the Eurobasket tournament. Leonard is apparently apprehensive that he may not be healthy enough to play during the first few weeks following the FIBA tournament if he joined.

Leonard will, however, be joining Team USA for the 2016 Olympics. The FIBA World Cup will be held from August 30 to September 14 in Spain.

The final pool of players for selection to represent the United States in the tournament are Chandler Parsons, DeMar DeRozan, Stephen Curry, Bradley Beal, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward, James Harden, Kyle Korver, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Klay Thompson and Derrick Rose. Derrick Rose, who also just came off another knee injury, said that the tournament will be a good opportunity for him to prepare for the following NBA season.