Kevin Durant’s love for the game of basketball has never been in doubt. The two-time NBA champion has never hesitated to discuss his passion for the sport and his desire to compete against the best of them.
Amid his first season with the Houston Rockets, the forward plans to take on a different challenge. However, it would take two years before he can lace them up to compete against the best players in the world, but not in the NBA.
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Durant made it clear he wants to play in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Team USA won the gold medal in Paris, and they will defend the crown on home soil. Durant will be approaching 40 at the moment, but he will emulate LeBron James and represent the country deep in his 30s.
He noted that neither he nor Steph Curry declined the Olympics.
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“You guys, the media, have projected that,” Durant told ESPN recently. “That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”
2. Kevin Durant
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts to a referee against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant didn’t hesitate when discussing his desire to represent the country.
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“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said. “I would love to, but I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting, I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team. I don’t want — not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win.”
“Today, yeah I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat.”
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Will Steph Curry play alongside Kevin Durant in the 2028 Olympics?
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-Imagn Images
Durant and Curry played together from 2016 through 2019, going to three consecutive NBA Finals and winning two titles in the process. Although things didn’t end well between them, Durant and Curry have remained close over the years.
Vincent Goodwill of ESPN wrote that Curry is unlikely to participate in the games, but a final last dance could do the trick for the Golden State Warriors superstar. The 2024 Olympics showed why Team USA needed the Avengers to continue their dominance on the Olympic stage.
Curry will be pushing his 40s, too, but LeBron James proved that truly special talent can beat Father Time at times.
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