Kevin Durant: A Crucial Asset for Team USA Off the Bench
Kevin Durant's role in the 2024 Olympics may have started on an unconventional note, but his impact on Team USA has been nothing short of significant. Despite coming off the bench in all three group stage games, Durant's performance has underscored his indispensability to the team.
Durant missed the entirety of the United States' five exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, prompting a strategic shift by Head Coach Steve Kerr. Initially, the plan was for Durant to be a starter. “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,” explained Kerr.
However, Durant adapted seamlessly upon his return, making a noticeable impact despite limited minutes. He averaged 19.2 minutes during group play, with game times varying from 17 minutes against Serbia to 22 minutes against South Sudan. His performance was so potent that the second unit, featuring Durant alongside Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has become a formidable defensive force.
This defensive trio of Durant, Adebayo, and Davis has been particularly effective, allowing for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection. Their collective effort has played a central role in Team USA maintaining a lead of at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarters of each group stage game. This defensive prowess has ensured that no player on the roster has logged more than 27 minutes in any single match thus far, with LeBron James leading the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game.
The transition for Durant from a potential starter to a key bench player was smooth, thanks in part to his versatility and team-first mentality. “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.
Coach Kerr echoed this sentiment, 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.” This approach not only highlights Durant’s flexibility but also underscores the depth of Team USA’s roster.
One teammate, in particular, has appreciated Durant’s role off the bench—Anthony Edwards. “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,” Edwards shared.
The cohesive and adaptable nature of Team USA is likely to be tested as they progress through the tournament. Coach Kerr is acutely aware of the challenges ahead, particularly noting the competitive edge of their future opponents. “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,” he remarked.
Durant’s journey in the 2024 Olympics is a testament to his skill and resilience. His ability to step up despite missing crucial preparatory games and to exceed expectations off the bench exemplifies the spirit of Team USA. As the tournament intensifies, Durant's influence is expected to grow, and his contributions will undoubtedly be pivotal to the team’s pursuit of Olympic gold.