Kevin Durant’s role as a linchpin for Team USA has been unmistakable during the 2024 Olympics in Lille and Paris. Despite missing all five of the United States' exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, Durant has come off the bench in all three group stage games and delivered crucial performances that underscore his importance to the team.
Initially, Head Coach Steve Kerr had planned 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,” Kerr explained. Upon his return, Durant was only allocated limited minutes against Serbia, but he exceeded expectations, making a smooth integration into the team. Kerr acknowledged, “He played so well and he fit so well with that group.”
Durant’s playing time was spread across the group stage with 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico, averaging 19.2 minutes per game. Despite these limited minutes, Durant had a notable influence on the tournament, reinforcing his status as a vital contributor.
The second unit of Team USA, which features Durant along with Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has been particularly formidable on the defensive end. The combination of Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allows for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection, a key aspect of their defensive strategy. This defensive solidity has buoyed Team USA, ensuring they led by at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarters in each group stage game.
Anthony Edwards has particularly enjoyed 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,” enthused Edwards.
Durant, well aware of the situational factors affecting his role, has adopted a flexible mindset. “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.
This ability to adapt has been invaluable for Team USA, especially since no player has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game. Even LeBron James, who leads the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game, has had to share the court time to maintain a balanced and fresh roster.
As the tournament advances towards more challenging games, Kerr anticipates Durant's role will continue to evolve. “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,” said Kerr. This strategic flexibility and Durant’s willingness to embrace his role provide Team USA with a tactical edge.
Durant’s perseverance and ability to swiftly integrate into the team dynamics despite missing the preparatory phase are commendable. The efficiency and cohesion exhibited by the second unit have not only safeguarded Team USA’s defense but also allowed seamless transitions in offense, reinforcing their dominance in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the challenge for Team USA will be maintaining their physicality and shooting precision as the intensity of the games increases. Kerr emphasized, “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.”
In conclusion, Durant’s bench role has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Team USA. His impact, both defensively and offensively, paired with strategic coaching decisions, positions Team USA as a formidable opponent. As the stakes heighten, all eyes will be on Durant to see how his contributions will guide the team forward in their quest for gold.