After some shut requires Staff USA within the heat up video games in Paris and a slim four-point win in opposition to Serbia within the semi-final, some would say the remainder of the world is catching up, however not Kevin Durant.
“Hell no, after all not,” Durant mentioned after being requested if the world was getting nearer to the US, by way of Out The Mud Podcast.
“We beat Serbia 3 times this summer season, you realize what I’m saying? So what, like one sport, yeah. They’re going to get a sport the place they give the impression of being stable.
“France beat us one time, they did beat us final yr, however we beat them for the gold final Olympics, too, you realize what I’m saying? We beat them twice for the gold.
“There are going to be some gamers like Victor [Wembanyama], and [Nikola] Jokic, and Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. I gained’t put Shai [Gilgeous Alexander] in there as a result of they subsequent door in Canada. These three.
“For those who going to have a look at three gamers and say, ‘They caught as much as the remainder of Individuals’ once we had tons of and tons of of Individuals to do the identical. You may’t simply use three gamers to make that declare, to say it’s beginning to catch up now, or due to one tight sport in opposition to Serbia.
“No, I don’t imagine it’s shut. For folks to offer them credit score for simply being in a detailed sport with us reveals that they ain’t even, can’t compete. We created basketball. They’re influenced by us. Luka influenced by Individuals. So is Jokic. So was Toni Kukoc. So was Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker. All these dudes was influenced by Individuals. We set the blueprint.”
Durant added, “It’s cute for positive for individuals who need to expertise historical past. I used to be there to see the altering of the guard between Individuals to Europeans. Individuals need to attempt to swap the narrative and hype some sh*t up when the truth is that we’ve been dominating these dudes the entire time. And so they lastly bought shut to twenty factors and now you’re saying they’re catching up. It doesn’t make sense. We set the usual on what being nice in basketball is.”
In a giant blow for the US, it’s unlikely that LeBron James, Steph Curry and Durant will take part within the subsequent Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles.
However little question the youthful era will rise to the event.
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