As the 2024 Olympics continue in Lille and Paris, one of the most captivating stories emerging from Team USA basketball is Kevin Durant's pivotal role coming off the bench. Despite a hamstring injury that sidelined him for all five of the United States' exhibition games, Durant's contributions have been nothing short of remarkable since his return.
"I think if Kevin had been here from Day 1, chances are he would be starting. That was the plan coming in," noted Head Coach Steve Kerr. However, Durant's untimely injury forced Kerr and his coaching staff to pivot, leading to a strategy shift just before the tournament began.
Durant's absence during the preparatory phase led Team USA to establish a starting lineup that didn't initially include the NBA star. But once he rejoined the squad, Durant instantly made his presence felt. "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,” Kerr added.
A Crucial Bench Role
Durant has embraced his role coming off the bench, and his performance statistics speak volumes. Across the three group stage games, he averaged 19.2 minutes per game. Specifically, he logged 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico. His adaptability and willingness to contribute in any capacity have been instrumental for Team USA.
"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 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 explained.
Durant’s impact has also been felt defensively. The second unit, featuring Durant alongside Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis, has proven to be particularly formidable. The defensive versatility offered by Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allows for seamless switching without sacrificing rim protection.
A Formidable Defensive Lineup
Throughout the group stage, Team USA has been dominant, leading by at least 11 points in the fourth quarter of each game. This speaks volumes about both their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. "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 said, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant as the competition intensifies.
The depth of Team USA has also been a significant asset, ensuring no player on the roster has been overburdened with minutes. LeBron James leads the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game, while no other player has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game.
Team Camaraderie
Apart from his solid performances, Durant’s return has had a positive impact on team camaraderie. Anthony Edwards, one of Durant's teammates, expressed his enthusiasm: "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."
Coach Kerr hinted that Durant's playing time might increase as the tournament progresses and the games become more challenging. "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," he said.
As Team USA moves into the knockout stages of the Olympic tournament, the versatile and experienced Kevin Durant will undoubtedly continue to be a key player, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench. His performance thus far has proven his ability to adapt and excel, making him an invaluable asset for Team USA's quest for gold.