Team USA’s run at the 2024 Paris Olympics was nothing short of a perfect dream. A five-peat isn’t easy, yet they made it look so. For legends like Kevin Durant and LeBron James, it may have been another golden chapter, but for first-timers like Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry, it was a whole new world. At 36, the Warriors’ sharpshooter was leaving his mark on America’s Gold Rush, and only his former teammate KD knew what was truly going through his mind on the court in France.
Despite their rocky past, Durant joined Draymond on The Draymond Green Show. Their feud began on November 12, 2018, against the Clippers when Green refused to pass the ball. A heated exchange followed, with Draymond reportedly calling Durant a “b—-” and saying, “We don’t need you..” And Durant did, joining the Nets after the season.
But this is all in the past now. KD joined Draymond and Baron Davis to talk about the league, his retirement, and most importantly the Olympics run. The greatest privilege? Having Stephen Curry by his side in the chase for that fifth gold medal. However, there seemed to be some sort of misunderstanding in the court. You see, most players on Team USA aren’t accustomed to playing with Curry, unlike the Slim Reaper.
Stephen Curry found an understanding teammate in Kevin Durant during the Paris Olympics
KD had been Stephen Curry‘s teammate at the Golden State Warriors for three seasons. Over those three seasons, the Dubs won two consecutive championships— 2017 and 2018. And in both their wins, Durant became the Finals MVP. But that’s beside the point. The 36-year-old center knows and understands how Steph works around the court. Unlike most players on Team USA, Durant knows what goes on in the Baby-Faced Assassin’s mind.
“Bro, that was crazy. It was like when you got on the when I got back on the floor with Steph as a team made that first few games. It was like that non-verbal, because you know, it’s a certain way that you gotta like play with Steph, you know,” KD said of Curry. “He giving the ball up knowing that, ‘I’m flying back off this pin-down. Make sure you look for me and a lot of dudes.’ The Team USA didn’t quite understand that.”
Kevin firmly noted: “I felt like I was the only one on the court that knew what he was thinking.” Well, for anyone who’s been on the opposite side of the court against Stephen Curry, it’s hard to imagine what goes on in his mind. As unpredictable as he is in the NBA, the Olympics, too, saw that glimpse in every game. And so, it looks like Durant who has the experience of working around Curry, and closely, might I add; it became advantageous.
Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
“That’s when all those years playing together and. Watching a film together and figuring s— out. It’s like. That was cool. I’m saying this because we worked our way up today. Golden State, we ain’t have to talk to each other. I kind of knew we were thinking and vice versa, so bring that feeling back on,” KD further added.
You could tell Stephen Curry wanted his Olympic moment. Kevin Durant says the point guard’s hunger became prominent in the game against Serbia where he scored 36 points. But in the deciding game vs. France at the Accor Arena, Curry’s 24 points and that golden dagger meant everything. And the ‘Nuit-Nuit’ in the end was proof of what that gold medal meant to the Chef.
Meanwhile, the news of a ‘secret meeting’ with LeBron James came to light after Baron Davis pressed onto Kevin Durant. What if KD, Bron, and Steph stuck around until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028? But what if they retired before that? Can they come out of retirement and play for the country one last time?
LeBron James and Kevin Durant had a secret meeting?
More than a meeting, you could call it a pact. It brings back memories from 2019 when LeBron and KD were seen catching up courtside during one of the games. The world wanted to know what they were talking about. Of course, two of the biggest stars of the league, laughing and chatting, seem like an immediate magnet for attention. But, this secret meeting was more about having Bron, KD, and Steph on the same stage.
“We had that combo, man,” Durant told Baron Davis and Draymond Green. He believes that even if the stars came together for a final show, it might not work. But, that’s just the Phoenix Suns star being too modest. “I think you got it. I think you’re gonna see the Olympics this past summer. Man! It was perfect. I had me a little moment in that game, bro. It was perfect man.”
Aug 10, 2024; Paris, France; United States shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and guard LeBron James (6) and guard Kevin Durant (7) celebrate with their gold medals on the podium after defeating France in the men’s basketball gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Look, it seems slightly far-fetched to believe that these three big stars would be around until 2028. By then, James Sr. would be 44, and Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant would be 40. But, looking at these stars putting up their best games even now, makes us believe otherwise. Maybe if Team USA could sign them together and pull them out of retirement, a final magic could happen.
Thus, with barely much to know about the secret meeting, but a lot to know about the relationship Curry and Durant share, the recent episode of The Draymond Green Show was a hit for sure. Most importantly, seeing KD and Green share such candid conversations amidst their reported heat seems like a relief. And if we had to sum it up in a more Gen-Z manner, then: “The world is healing, y’all!”
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