Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Durant was recently out with a calf strain and wasn’t able to play in the pre-exhibition games for Team USA. He finally made his return to the Olympics as the USA played their first opener game of the group stage against Serbia.
In 17 minutes of playing time, Durant put up a scoring masterclass against Serbia. He was unstoppable and almost made all of his shots. KD scored 23 points and made eight of his nine shots and even five on five from the three. He was the leading scorer for Team USA against Serbia. Durant helped the USA get an early lead over Serbia which proved to be beneficial for their overall win.
NBA expert Kendrick Perkins was seen praising Durant for his great performance in the opening game of the USA at the Olympics. On the show “First Take” Perkins talked about Durant and stated that if the USA was going to win the gold medal this year it’s going to be because of Kevin Durant. He even stated that Durant would be a more crucial piece to the team than LeBron James.
We saw it the last time Team USA won the gold medal. We’re gonna see it this time when Team USA wins the gold medal. It’s gonna be on the back of Kevin Durant.
Kendrick Perkins via First Take
.@KendrickPerkins picks KD as the key to an American gold over LeBron James 🏅
“We saw it the last time Team USA won the gold medal. We’re gonna see it this time when Team USA wins the gold medal. It’s gonna be on the back of Kevin Durant.” pic.twitter.com/8Y2Jj0DAv6
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 29, 2024
Durant is already a three-time gold medalist in the Olympics. He is also the leading scorer for the USA in the history of the Olympics. But fans can’t deny LeBron James’s presence as well. James has shown to be a great leader of the team as fans have seen in the pre-exhibition games. Both James and Durant together are an unstoppable duo and are gonna be a big threat for all the countries in the Olympics.
LeBron James praises Kevin Durant’s returning performance against Serbia
It is a great sight for the fans to see long-time rivals LeBron James and Kevin Durant play together. USA Basketball selected both veterans to be part of the Team USA for the Paris Olympics this year.
After their dominant victory over Serbia, LeBron James praised Durant for his great performance and stated that he hasn’t missed a beat since his injury. Both stars share a great mutual respect for each other. They also share a great history and have even played together as part of Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in which they won the gold medal and were undefeated 8-0 in the tournament.
KD was phenomenal. It’s almost like he never missed a beat, practice, or a game or anything.
Lebron James said after the game
LeBron James praised Kevin Durant: “KD was phenomenal. It’s almost like he never missed a beat, practice, or a game or anything.
He’s just out of his world talent. I think he even goes even harder in practice, and when the game starts, it’s just routine for him.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) July 28, 2024
USA have made a dominant start to the tournament with a victory over Serbia. They are certainly the favorites to win it all. Durant and James will be playing major roles in the USA’s journey to gold.
