(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant didn’t appear in any of the Team USA exhibition games as he was diagnosed with a calf injury during training camp.
There didn’t seem to be much panic from the program about Durant’s availability for the 2024 Olympics in Paris and it was announced moments before their pool play game against Serbia that he would come off the bench.
Durant’s first game on the international stage this summer couldn’t have gone any better as he led the Americans with 23 points on a hyper-efficient 8-of-9 shooting from the floor including a perfect 5-of-5 from the 3-point line.
It was a reminder to the world that Durant is one of the best players in basketball when he’s healthy and now adds a completely different offensive dimension to Team USA.
After his dominant performance, Robert Griffin III called out any of Durant’s critics via his personal Twitter account.
“KD is one of the best hoopers EVER. Put some respect on his name. This man @KDTrey5 came off the bench and dropped 21 points on 8-8 from the field and 5 for 5 from 3 point range in the 1st half. STOP PLAYING WITH HIM.”
KD is one of the best hoopers EVER. Put some respect on his name. This man @KDTrey5 came off the bench and dropped 21 points on 8-8 from the field and 5 for 5 from 3 point range in the 1st half. STOP PLAYING WITH HIM. pic.twitter.com/ITAgreJ9zT
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 28, 2024
Durant’s drawn some criticism for hopping teams in search of titles, but that shouldn’t diminish what he can do on the court.
At his best, Durant has the upside to be an MVP in the league though he’s largely been forgotten as the next wave of stars establishes themselves.
However, on Team USA Durant plays his role as a scorer and he should be a huge piece in their chase for another gold medal.
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