Kevin Durant will make history in Paris 2024 if Team USA wins the Gold in men’s basketball, becoming the single-most accomplished Olympic basketball player of all time with his fourth Gold medal. Former Team USA coach and Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski thinks Durant might be the greatest Olympic basketball player of all time.
“I think he is because of longevity and accomplishment. It’s unique, but the amount of points he’s scored, he’s scored a lot more than anyone else. When he scored in Istanbul in 2010, he averaged 33 points a game in the medal round. Obviously, in London, he was a part of a huge team that we had with LeBron and Kobe. In 2016, Rio, he was by far the best scorer and really led us to the Gold medal.”
Coach K showered more praise on Durant.
“What he did against Serbia does not surprise me. He may have been resting his leg, but his touch doesn’t need any rest. It’s one of the best ever in the world.”
Coach K on why KD is the best Team USA men's hooper ever. pic.twitter.com/RZDllfs54f
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) July 30, 2024
Durant is 9th all-time in the Olympics scoring leaderboard, overtaking Drazen Petrovic (Yugoslavia) after putting up 14 points (2-5 FG, 2-2 3PT, 8-9 FT) against South Sudan. Durant’s 472 points in the Olympics over his career are the most by any American player, as KD overtook previous scoring leader Carmelo Anthony during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
While many would lean towards FIBA icons like Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, or Oscar Schmidt as the Olympic GOAT, it’s hard to argue with Durant. He could win a fourth Gold medal this year, a feat that might only be replicated by someone like Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Haliburton, provided they play and win in 2028, 2032, and 2036 as well.
Steve Kerr Called Kevin Durant The Most Skilled Player He’s Ever Seen
Steve Kerr won five NBA Championships as a player, winning three of them with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman on the Chicago Bulls before winning two more with Tim Duncan on the San Antonio Spurs. Kerr has been surrounded by some of the greatest players of all time, later managing Steve Nash and coaching Stephen Curry.
Kerr also coached Durant for three seasons and a few times for Team USA. After KD’s perfect first half in the USA’s win over Serbia, Kerr referred to him as the most skilled player he’s ever seen.
“It was incredible but not surprising given what I’ve seen from Kevin in the past. I’ve said it before, I think he’s the most skilled basketball player I’ve ever seen. The game just comes so easily for him and a long layoff like that doesn’t seem to bother him.”
Durant’s skill as a seven-footer might remain unprecedented because even new-age unicorns like Victor Wembanyama aren’t natural scorers like Durant. He’s been a bucket since day one and will be remembered as one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen.
He might get hate for decisions he made as an NBA player, but his Olympic legacy as arguably the GOAT of the tournament can be secured by leading the USA to a fourth Gold medal this year.
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