Kevin Durant's journey in the NBA has been nothing short of legendary, and as he continues to shatter records, the buzz now surrounds his future on the Olympic stage. While speculation has swirled about his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Durant has finally set the record straight about his intentions.
In a candid conversation with ESPN, Durant addressed the swirling rumors. While LeBron James has declared he's stepping away from Olympic play, Durant and his former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry have kept their options open. Durant expressed his eagerness to represent Team USA once more, saying, “I want to play,” but he acknowledged that his performance and health as he approaches 40 will be key factors.
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant emphasized. “I would love to, but I gotta stay on top of my game.
I'm not expecting; I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team. I don't want - not just for seniority.
I want to still prove I can help the team win. Today, yeah, I feel like I'll put my name in that hat.”
Durant's potential inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles games is exciting news for basketball fans. With a storied Olympic career that includes four gold medals and the record for most points scored by an American in Olympic competition, his impact is undeniable.
Even with the possible absence of James and Curry, Durant remains optimistic about Team USA's chances. However, he doesn't shy away from addressing the criticism often levied at American basketball, particularly the comparisons to European styles of play.
“All I hear is, ‘AAU is destroying the game, the Euros do it right while the Americans do it wrong.' It's a lot of bulls*** with that.
I can read between the lines on that; it's a shot at Black Americans. We're controlling the sport; they're tired of us controlling the sport,” Durant remarked.
As we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics, the composition of Team USA remains a tantalizing prospect. Whether Durant will once again don the red, white, and blue is a storyline that promises to captivate fans worldwide.