Kevin Durant didn’t have to play. Who would have blamed him? Two years removed from an Achilles tear, two months removed from a 40 minutes per game stretch in the playoffs, Durant could have begged off these Olympics, could have told Jerry Colangelo, thanks, but he’ll see you, er, or Grant Hill, in three years.
But Durant did play.
And, honestly—where would USA Basketball be without him?
It was the United States 97, Australia 78 in the semifinals of the men’s basketball tournament, but that score doesn’t come close to telling the full story.