Crew USA basketball is simply days away from its first official recreation of the 2024 Summer season Olympics, and whereas it’s usually favored to win the gold medal, there may be some concern that it may fall wanting that aim.
It gained every of its exhibition video games, nevertheless it appeared susceptible at instances, and it wanted to huff and puff to earn its final two victories versus South Sudan and Germany.
One factor that needs to be stored in thoughts is Kevin Durant, one among Crew USA’s finest gamers, has been out with a calf pressure, however based on Brian Windhorst, he’ll scrimmage on Thursday after which be re-evaluated.
New Kevin Durant Replace 🚨
“The plan is for him to scrimmage tomorrow in Paris and reevaluate him after the scrimmage”
KD was not pleased with Windhorst report about not being obtainable to play vs Serbia, he’s working very very laborious to get again… taking part in for the nationwide crew is… pic.twitter.com/t0CyggPb0f
— 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ✰ (@Hatedzs) July 24, 2024
If Durant is ready to begin taking part in once more, it might be an enormous increase for the USA.
This previous season with the Phoenix Suns, he averaged 27.1 factors and 5.0 assists a recreation whereas capturing 52.3 p.c from the sector and 41.3 p.c from 3-point vary.
Even at age 35, he stays probably the greatest in basketball at getting buckets when his crew wants a bucket.
However whereas Durant continues to play at an elite stage, his NBA crew fell properly wanting expectations this previous season, and it doesn’t seem like that squad will do higher this coming season.
Phoenix was picked by many to achieve the NBA Finals going into the 2023-24 marketing campaign, however as an alternative, they gained simply 49 video games and completed sixth within the Western Convention, they usually had been finally swept within the first spherical of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Whereas they’ve a brand new head coach in Mike Budenholzer, their roster proper now’s no stronger than it was in April.
However Durant nonetheless has likelihood of reporting to coaching camp along with his fourth Olympic gold medal, which might set a brand new document for USA males’s basketball.
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