Kevin Durant Reminisces Team USA Game Scoring on LeBron James at 18

NBA veteran Kevin Durant was one of the standout players in 2008 but still missed out on the Team USA Olympic team, leaving many stunned.

Kevin Durant Reminisces Team USA Game Scoring on LeBron James at 18

Kevin Durant (Image by FirstSportz)

One of the most accomplished American basketball stars in Olympic history is Kevin Durant, a forward with the Brooklyn Nets. In addition to winning a gold medal in 2012, he was the top scorer for Team USA in 2016 and won another medal in the 2025 Summer Olympics in Paris. His 2012 Olympic average of 19.5 points per game was the highest ever by an American.

Before all of this, there was one place where Durant came into the spotlight and got noticed by the basketball world. The 2007 USA Blue vs the USA white game, which pitted Team USA’s players against the non-starters after the mini-camp, was one significant event that quickly created enthusiasm. The USA Senior Team squad’s finalists would eventually be decided by each player’s performance in that match.

Nobody anticipated young Kevin Durant, one of the biggest underdogs on the court, to have a large impact given the all-star lineup. The young star at that time finished with remarkable stats of 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals after dominating many NBA All-Stars in the game.

Now, years later, Durant replied to a tweet containing his performance highlights from the 2007 Team USA Blue vs White game.

What a time, they wasn’t prepared for the YN wave yet, I had to tap everybody in to the one n dones!

Kevin Durant wrote on X

Despite all this, Durant was not selected for the 2008 Olympic Redeem Team roster. Something that still bothers the NBA veteran.

Although LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade were already on Team USA, Durant was fresh off a season in which he had earned NBA Rookie of the Year for the Seattle Supersonics by averaging more than 20 points per game. But, they didn’t need many shooters from the outside. One of the major reasons Durant could not make the team.

Reflecting on his exclusion from the Redeem Team, Durant felt ‘disrespected’. Nevertheless, he realized that it was not the appropriate moment for him to represent America and contribute to bringing home the honor.

Kevin Durant once opened up on his exclusion from the Redeem team

With a stellar group of players that included Carmelo Anthony, James, Dwyane Wade, and Kobe Bryant, the ‘Redeem Team’ brought back the U.S.’s lost glory following its catastrophic collapse in Athens four years prior. In all these names, there was one name missing: Kevin Durant. Despite being named ROTY that year, he was not selected.

This has been something that always haunts Durant. Notably, the NBA great once opened up on the matter and made his views clear on the matter.

I knew I had to wait my turn. But I just wanted to be a part of that. Just knowing that they lost in ’04, and in ’06 they lost a game, and I wanted to be a part of that Redeem Team.

Kevin Durant said
Kevin Durant 2
Kevin Durant (Credits: MARCA)

Two years later, Durant was formally recognized as a member of the country’s FIBA World Cup team, which went on to win the gold medal in 2010. In 2012, he finally got to play in the Olympics as he assisted the United States in defending their title in London. Now Durant has 3 medals with his nation, showcasing his underlying dominance internationally.

Former NBA player makes interesting Kevin Durant admission

Over the past few weeks, the Kevin Durant trade news was all over the headlines, with many left concerned about where the NBA veteran would end up. It’s safe to say, the wait is over! Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets by the Phoenix Suns in return for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. Now, former NBA player Baron Davis shared his thoughts on this matter.

I’ve been saying that KD is an upgrade. When you think about what the Rockets needed, they need efficient scoring. What KD brings in presence, his offensive awareness, his defensive awareness, his overall ‘I’m aiming to win a championship’ (mindset). I think it’s a fair trade.

Baron Davis said on the Draymond Green show

The Rockets must aim high right away now that Durant is a part of the team. He isn’t here for a leisurely build at 37. However, Davis emphasized that the Rockets are prepared to advance. In addition to giving Houston a more distinct character in a crowded playoff picture, his arrival may instantly heighten expectations.

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