After the recent performances in their exhibition matches before the Olympics, one thing is certain for Team USA men’s basketball- they need Kevin Durant.
Durant, who has yet to make his debut for Team USA this year due to a calf injury, returned to practice on Wednesday, boosting the chances of USA capturing its fifth straight Olympic gold medal.
Team USA needs Durant. Despite going 5-0 in their exhibition games, they had shaky performances against Australia, South Sudan and Germany, games which exposed some glaring weaknesses in the team such as rim protection, the transition game, rebounding and outside shooting.
These holes gave teams a blueprint to use against Team USA during the Olympics.
But, the return of Durant addresses many of these issues.
The 14x NBA All-Star is an amazing offensive talent that forces defenders to adjust their game plan. He will also help bolster Team USA’s defensive rebounding and rim protection due to his size.
Durant has existing chemistry and continuity with many of his Team USA teammates including Steph Curry, who he played with at Golden State, Devin Booker, his current Phoenix Suns teammate, and LeBron James, as they’ve previously paired together in the Olympics.
The Slim Reaper brings experience and instant firepower to the team as he’s Team USA’s all-time leading scorer (435 point, 19.8 ppg) and the most decorated Olympian on the team with three gold medals. He also joins Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James as one of the three American players to play in four Olympics.
“More firepower, more leadership, and more experience in the FIBA game,” said James about Durant. “We welcome his return. We’re looking forward to him being back out there. Anytime we can add a piece like that it’s good for our ball club.”
With his fourth gold medal on the line, and a chance to silence the critics that have been on Team USA during its exhibition tour, expect Kevin Durant to continue his past Olympic ways and lead the U.S. to its fifth straight gold medal.
