Durant’s Impact Off the Bench Propels Team USA
As the 2024 Olympic Games unfold in Lille and Paris, Kevin Durant has proven to be an indispensable force for Team USA, despite an unconventional start. The star forward, who missed all five exhibition games due to a hamstring injury, has emerged as a key player coming off the bench in each group stage game.
Head Coach Steve Kerr initially 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,” Kerr revealed. However, Durant’s absence during the preparatory phase led to a strategical shift. “Given that he missed all of our friendlies and came in late, we had kind of established a lineup that we liked,” Kerr explained.
Durant’s seamless integration back into the squad has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite being eased back into action, averaging only 19.2 minutes per game during group play, Durant made a significant impact. The 35-year-old forward played 17 minutes against Serbia, 22 minutes against South Sudan, and 19 minutes against Puerto Rico, contributing effectively during his time on the court.
Durant himself has embraced his role off the bench, displaying a selfless attitude. “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 emphasized.
The second unit featuring Durant, Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis has been particularly formidable, especially on the defensive end. The combination of Durant, Adebayo, and Davis allows for versatile switching without sacrificing rim protection, a strategy that has yielded positive results. Team USA led by at least 11 points throughout the fourth quarter in each of their group stage games.
The strategic decision to bring Durant off the bench has not gone unnoticed by his teammates. “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,” Anthony Edwards said, reflecting his enthusiasm.
No player on the Team USA roster has logged more than 27 minutes in any single game thus far, demonstrating the depth and flexibility of the squad. LeBron James leads the team with an average of 21.8 minutes per game, underscoring the balanced approach Kerr has adopted.
Looking ahead to the knockout stages, Kerr remains focused on the challenges that lie ahead. “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 noted, highlighting the competitive nature of the remaining opponents.
With the tournament progressing, Durant’s role is expected to expand. “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,” Kerr confirmed. This strategic utilization of Durant not only preserves his health but also maximizes his impact during critical moments.
As Team USA aims for gold, Durant’s presence, whether as a starter or coming off the bench, continues to be a decisive factor. His adaptability, coupled with the team’s overall depth, positions Team USA favorably as they navigate the pressures of Olympic competition.