It had been since last April and the NBA Playoffs that Kevin Durant had not played an official game. He missed all of Team USA’s preparation because of a calf injury. And he came off the bench against Serbia today for his big comeback. All that for what in the end? Just a game with 23 points in 17 minutes.
When we saw Kevin Durant come on at the end of the first quarter of Serbia – USA , we inevitably wondered if he was going to be a little lacking in rhythm.
Kevin Durant lacking rhythm? Lol.
Kevin Durant hit his first shot, a 3-pointer that went in. The first of a diabolical series. Quick summary of the madness:
- 1st QT, 2m17: 3-point shot
- 1st QT, 0m44: 3-point shot
- 2nd QT, 9m32: 2-point fadeaway
- 2nd QT, 8m29: 3-point pull-up
- 2nd QT, 7m13: 3-point shot
- 2nd QT, 1m50: 2-point fadeaway
- 2nd QT, 0m36: 3-point pull-up
- 2nd QT, 0m01: 2-point fadeaway
In the jargon, it is called an avalanche. And Serbia, although valiant, had difficulty resisting.
When Kevin Durant came on, Team USA was trailing 19-14 after a somewhat complicated start to the game. The score at halftime after KD’s 21 goals? 58-49 for the United States. An advantage that the Avengers would only widen in the second half, even if Easy Money would not score again in the game (apart from two free throws) and even missed a shot (!).
Team USA’s all-time leading scorer and three-time Olympic champion, Kevin Durant has once again shown that he is the ultimate FIBA basketball cheat code. He has once again shown that he can score 20 points in his sleep, and that preparation is overrated when you are 7’10” and one of the greatest talents in basketball history. Putting the orange ball in the basket is in his blood. It never goes to waste.
And when he is there, the States immediately seem much less likely to be taken…
