Kevin Durant's Comeback Bolsters Team USA's Bench Strength
Kevin Durant has shown his unwavering dedication and skill for Team USA during the 2024 Olympics in Lille and Paris. Despite facing a hamstring injury that kept him out of all five exhibition games, Durant's return has provided a significant boost to the team, transforming the dynamics of the squad during the group stage.
Initially, head coach Steve Kerr had planned for Durant to start. However, Durant's absence during the preparatory phase forced a strategic shift. “I think if Kevin had been here from Day 1, chances are he would be starting,” Kerr revealed. “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.”
Durant's impact on the court has been undeniable, even as he came off the bench. Over the three group stage games, Durant averaged 19.2 minutes per game, demonstrating his ability to adapt quickly and contribute effectively. He played 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico. His scoring, defense, and court vision have been paramount in ensuring Team USA's dominance.
The team's second unit, featuring Durant, Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has been particularly formidable on the defensive end. The trio of Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allows for versatile switching without compromising rim protection, creating a well-rounded and resilient defensive strategy. This approach has led Team USA to maintain a lead of at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarters in each group stage game.
Despite the temporary reduction in his minutes, Durant has remained positive and focused. “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,” Durant stated.
Anthony Edwards expressed his enthusiasm about playing alongside Durant. “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.”
Steve Kerr has no immediate plans to alter this successful approach, acknowledging that Durant's role as a bench player has been of great benefit to the team. “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.”
LeBron James currently leads the team in minutes, averaging 21.8 per game, but the distribution of minutes has been balanced, with no player logging more than 27 minutes in any single game thus far. This strategic rotation has kept the players fresh and ready for the crucial moments in each match.
As Team USA prepares for the knockout stages, the synergy and defensive prowess displayed by the roster thus far provide optimism. “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,” Kerr commented, highlighting the team's preparedness for more intense competition.
Kevin Durant's journey in the 2024 Olympics is a testament to his resilience and versatility. As Team USA moves deeper into the tournament, fans can expect to see more of Durant's brilliance, whether he's starting or coming off the bench. His ability to adapt and shine under any circumstance continues to be a vital asset for the team.