It’s throwback Thursday for Kevin Durant as he took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing the time he and Kobe Bryant dominated Argentina.
Taking to Twitter, he quote-tweeted a clip of him and Kobe combining to score 19 points for the USA in the pre-Olympics warmup game in Barcelona before the 2012 London Games. USA held a 20-point lead at one point in the first half.
A time https://t.co/64jXp20dFk
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) June 22, 2023
But Argentina refused to relent and came back into the game, but Team USA recorded an 86-80 win with Durant pouring in 27 points, while Kobe ended with 18 points. LeBron James has 15 to show, while Manu Ginobili played his part for Argentina with 23 points.
As for what happened further, The US faced Argentina again in the semifinals and, this time had a comprehensive 109-83 win. They went on to defeat Spain 107-100 in the gold medal match. Durant was the leading scorer in the USA unit averaging 19.5 points per game.
The 2012 roster was loaded with top-class players. Durant and Bryant were joined by James, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love, and Anthony Davis were the centers. The rest of the roster was made up of All-Stars, including Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams, and Andre Iguodala. Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski led the team.
Kevin Durant Once Called Kobe Bryant A “God-Like Figure”
Durant has had his share of battles against Kobe Bryant in the NBA and has nothing but the utmost respect for the Black Mamba. In an earlier interview, he revealed what Kobe meant to him, and Durant’s words are wholesome to read.
“Being in the same locker room with him, like I competed against him like that same playoff and the way he won the championship too. So we had a different connection compared to a lot of other guys.”
He added: “You know, I was outplayed against him on that journey. His aura was just like a god-like figure, you know what I’m saying. Like you see someone in the flesh who scored 81 points in an NBA game. It is hard to even speak around him. But you know he was open, and he was always trying to teach and help the younger generation out.”
Durant was accurate in his words, even though some may feel he went a little over the top. Kobe was immaculate on and off the court, and the respect his peers have for him shows the player that he was.
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