Kevin Durant has proven to be an indispensable asset for Team USA during the 2024 Olympics in Lille and Paris. Although Durant missed all five of the United States' exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, his impact on the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable, highlighting his adaptability and skill.
A Resilient Comeback
Initially, Head Coach Steve Kerr had planned for Durant to start in the games. However, due to Durant's absence during the preparatory phase, there was a necessary adjustment in strategy. Kerr explained, “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.”
Durant has come off the bench in all three group stage games, averaging 19.2 minutes on the court. His minutes in these matches were carefully managed, with 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico. Despite limited minutes, Durant has managed to make a significant impact.
The Strength of the Second Unit
Team USA’s second unit, featuring Durant, Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has been particularly formidable, especially on the defensive end. The combination of Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allows for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection, a strategy that has proven effective. Team USA has led by at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarters in each of their group stage games.
Coach Kerr remains confident in this strategy, noting, “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 himself is fully on board with the team’s approach. “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 finishes the game, who puts 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 said.
Team Dynamics and Leadership
One of the highlights of the second unit has been the chemistry between Durant and Anthony Edwards. Edwards, thrilled by the opportunity to play alongside Durant, remarked, “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.”
Interestingly, no player on the Team USA roster has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game thus far, with LeBron James leading the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game. This strategy of distributing minutes evenly allows Team USA to maintain high energy levels and reduce the risk of injuries, a consideration that is especially pertinent given the intense competition ahead.
Looking Ahead
As Team USA prepares for the knockout stages, the team's strategy and cohesion will be tested by increasingly challenging opponents. Kerr highlighted the readiness needed for the upcoming games, stating, “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.”
With a rejuvenated Durant in the lineup, ready to step up his minutes and impact, Team USA remains a formidable force. Durant's return and rapid integration into the team signal not only his individual prowess but also the depth and adaptability of the squad. As they move forward, the synergy and tactical flexibility demonstrated in the group stage will be crucial in their quest for Olympic glory.