Kevin Durant: The Unspoken Anchor of Team USA
Kevin Durant has always been a pivotal asset for Team USA, and his performance in the 2024 Olympics in Lille and Paris underscores this fact. Despite coming off the bench in all three group stage games, Durant has managed to make a monumental impact.
Durant's journey leading up to these games wasn't without its hurdles. Missing all five of the United States' exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, Durant's absence forced Head Coach Steve Kerr to adjust his strategy. Initially, Durant was slated to start, as Kerr noted, “I think if Kevin had been here from Day 1, chances are he would be starting. That was the plan coming in. But, given that he missed all of our friendlies and came in late, we had kind of established a lineup that we liked. And when we brought him back, he was only going to play a certain amount of minutes against Serbia, and he played so well and he fit so well with that group.”
Despite these initial limitations, Durant's performance during the tournament has been nothing short of impressive. Averaging 19.2 minutes during group play, Durant logged 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico. His minutes on the court have shown that even in a limited capacity, his presence is transformative.
Kerr’s strategic adjustment meant Durant would come off the bench but gradually see increased minutes as the competition heightened. The coach confirmed, “There's no plans on changing that. But of course, as the games get more difficult, my guess is Kevin will be playing more and more minutes. So he'll keep coming off the bench for now, but we'll lean on him more and more as we go.”
Durant's integration into the team, particularly with the second unit, has been seamless. Joining forces with Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, this lineup has shown particular strength on the defensive end. The combination of Durant with Adebayo and Davis allows for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection, creating a formidable barrier for opponents.
Durant himself is unfazed by the role adjustment. As he aptly put it, “I told Coach, whatever he needs from me, I'm willing to do anything and adapt to anything. It's basketball. It really doesn't matter who starts. It's about really who finished the game, who put their impact on the game while they're in the game. So I just try to do my best to impact it any way I can.” His adaptability and team-first mentality have been critical to his successful integration.
The chemistry between Durant and his teammates has been palpable. Anthony Edwards, a prominent figure in the second unit, expressed his admiration, “I love that he's coming off the bench. I get to play with him, so I hope coach keeps bringing him off the bench. I get to pass it to him. He gets to pass it back. That's probably one of my biggest dreams ever, so that's dope.” This synergy between Durant and his fellow players has contributed significantly to the team’s consistent performance.
Throughout the group stages, Team USA has maintained a lead of at least 11 points in the fourth quarters of each game, a testament to the depth and cohesion of the roster. Remarkably, no player on the roster has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game so far, with LeBron James leading the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game. This balanced rotation has kept everyone fresh and formidable.
As Team USA gears up for the knockout stages, Durant's role is expected to expand even further. Coach Kerr has made it clear that the team is prepared for tougher contests ahead, noting, “They've got a lot of really good shooters, and they just play hard, they compete play after play. So we'll have to be ready for their physicality and their shooting, and we need to be on edge and ready for them because they're not going to back down.”
In conclusion, Durant’s contribution to Team USA, both in terms of his performance and his adaptability, exemplifies the essence of a true team player. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Durant's impact on the game remains undeniable. His journey through the 2024 Olympics thus far is a testament to his resilience, skill, and unyielding dedication to the sport.