Durant's Impactful Return Elevates Team USA
Kevin Durant has proven to be an indispensable asset for Team USA during the 2024 Olympics in Lille and Paris. Despite initially coming off the bench in all three group stage games, Durant's presence has been nothing short of transformative. The Brooklyn Nets star missed all five of the United States' exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, forcing Head Coach Steve Kerr to rethink his strategy and lineup.
Initially intended to start, Durant's late return prompted Kerr to keep him on the bench to maintain the established lineup. "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," Kerr explained. "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 the altered plan, Durant has adapted seamlessly, averaging 19.2 minutes during group play—playing 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico. His ability to integrate into the second unit has bolstered the team's defensive capabilities considerably. Durant, along with Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has formed a formidable defensive second unit.
This lineup has excelled at defense, with Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allowing for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection. As a result, Team USA led by at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarters in each group stage game. Notably, no player on the Team USA roster has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game thus far, showcasing the depth and strategic rotation of the team. LeBron James leads the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game, illustrating Kerr's strategy of distributing playing time to keep players fresh and ready for the arduous Olympic schedule.
"I told Coach, whatever he needs from me, I'm willing to do anything and adapt to anything," Durant stated, highlighting his team-first mentality. "It's basketball. It really doesn't matter who starts. It's about really who finishes 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."
Durant's willingness to come off the bench has been appreciated not only by the coaching staff but also by his teammates. Anthony Edwards expressed his admiration, saying, "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."
Kerr's approach has been validated by the team's success on both ends of the floor. The depth and versatility of Team USA have put them in a strong position as they head into the knockout stages. As the competition intensifies, Kerr acknowledges that Durant's role may expand. "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," Kerr noted.
The harmonious blend of star power, strategic coaching, and unselfish play has made Team USA a formidable contender for the gold medal. The resilience shown by Durant and the team despite initial setbacks has been commendable. With the knockout stages approaching, Team USA will look to continue their dominant run, relying on the depth and experience that have been their hallmark in the tournament so far.
As the journey unfolds, Durant's pivotal contributions—whether as a starter or coming off the bench—will remain crucial. His ability to adapt and impact the game in various roles underscores the team's collective strength and unwavering quest for Olympic glory.