Former Duke Blue Devils and Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski knows a thing or two about greatness in the Olympics. He had seen it and experienced it, having been part of the coaching staff of five gold medal-winning American teams.
And for Krzyzewski, Kevin Durant is the best USA basketball player of all time, and that’s saying a lot, considering all the Hall of Famers who have represented the country in the Olympics and other international competitions.
“I think he is because of longevity and accomplishment. Again, it’s unique, but the amount of points he has scored, he has scored a lot more than anyone else,” Coach K told Jim Rome.
Durant has a strong case. He has won three gold medals in the Summer Games, and that could be four when it is all said and done in Paris. He also won a World Championship with Team USA back in 2010. The Phoenix Suns star forward was the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Most Valuable Player. In the 2012 Olympics in London, Duranta also set the record for most total points in a single Olympic tournament.
In Team USA’s opener in Paris against Serbia, Durant came off the bench and exploded for 23 points in just a little under 17 minutes of action on the floor.
There was also his dedication to Team USA, as he never rejected an offer to play for his country in the quadrennial summer event.
Durant can add more to his resume, as Team USA continue their journey in Paris. They have won two games already to date and will look to close out group play with a win against Puerto Rico on Saturday.
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