When he began his Olympic career in London in 2012, Kevin Durant knew that Olympus had only been climbed twice in the history of basketball at the Olympic Games. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, Karl Malone and Jason Kidd (and others) had won two gold medals. No more.
Twelve years later, the American winger has just won his fourth gold medal in a row against France! Crowned in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, the best scorer in the history of Team USA at the Olympic Games has just broken Carmelo Anthony's (men's) record. In the history of basketball at the Games, only Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi (five medals, six perhaps for the first this Sunday) have done better.
“Kevin Durant? He's one of the greatest of all time, there's no debate,” says LeBron James. “Look at his silhouette, his qualities. He is one of the best basketball players ever seen on a court.”
Still here in 2028? “We’ll see”…
With an average of 13.8 points, the Phoenix player was less brilliant than in the three previous Olympics, less dominant, but still important and precise (54% shooting success, 52% 3-pts). LeBron James and Stephen Curry shone brightly, but without him, this “Avengers” team would not have been the same.
“I knew since the 2022/23 season,” he remembers his presence in this Olympic team. “Steve Kerr and Grant Hill came to Brooklyn to try to push me to play in the 2023 World Cup. So I knew it would be important to them that I be there in 2024. I committed then. Last summer, LeBron started texting everyone, giving his input on the roster. From then on, I knew we would all be together and it would be unique.”
Especially when he reunites with his former Warriors teammate, Stephen Curry. “I knew he was going to be there, he had never played in the Olympics. He had won the World Cup but wanted an Olympic medal. So I didn't hesitate, especially with him and LeBron on the team, and with this group. I knew it would be unique.”
Like winning four gold medals in a row. What if he went for a fifth in 2028, in Los Angeles? He'll be 39 then, the same age as LeBron James this summer. ” We'll see “, he simply replied…
4x Olympic Gold Medalist
7️⃣ Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/FzWnu6lzCk
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
