Well, the Paris Olympics are still a couple of weeks away, but Team USA has already begun warming up for the tournament. Earlier this week, they played their first showcase game against Canada in Las Vegas and got an easy win over them. However, there was one sight that concerned everyone. Kevin Durant sat out of that game because of a recently sustained injury. And as Team USA now heads to Abu Dhabi for their next two exhibition games, KD’s health raises concerns once again just days after media veteran Rob Parker questioned his gold pursuit in the Olympics.

Suffering a calf strain a couple of weeks ago, the vet was forced to watch the Canada game from the sidelines. More importantly, he might miss Monday’s game against Australia too because he is still dealing with the injury and couldn’t participate in the most recent team practice, via Duane Rankin. Obviously, that’s unfortunate for the two-time champ as this lingering injury might jeopardize his trip to Paris, even though he recently had his healthiest NBA season since the Achilles setback he suffered during the 2019 Finals.

Not having crossed the sixty-game mark ever since, Durant played an impressive 75 games for the Suns this season, averaging 27.1 points along with over six rebounds and five assists. Then, he also played 4 games in the playoffs before getting swept by Anthony Edwards and Co. in the first round.

While KD is unlikely to play on Monday, he is hopeful about playing in the upcoming games as his calf injury is healing gradually. “I feel better. I was working out probably about 10 days before training camp [when I got hurt]. So, just working through it and taking it day by day,” he told confidently reporters earlier this week. So, even if he sits out against Australia, we might get to see him in action in the following game against Nikola Jokic’s Serbia.

However, veteran analyst Rob Parker believes KD should not prioritize the Olympics over his health and the Suns because he has already conquered the world stage multiple times. “It’s a tad bit baffling. I mean, really, you know… You’ve done it, you’ve experienced it, you’ve won gold medals. It’s different for the guys who have never done it, and it’s their first chance. I get that, but guys who have already won, what are you repeating about?” Parker remarked on The Odd Couple Podcast.

Steve Kerr hopeful about Kevin Durant’s return

With Durant missing the game against Canada and now likely to sit out on Monday, many have started wondering if he will also be replaced like an injured Kawhi Leonard before the Paris tournament begins. However, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that there have been no such conversations so far and everyone is hopeful about KD returning to complete health before the Paris trip. “I know there’s still a couple of weeks before we have to make a decision roster-wise. So, we’re just taking it day by day.”

“It (Replacement) is not something we’ve even discussed at this point because we feel good that [Durant] is going to be OK,” he concluded. However, just in case Durant isn’t able to play, Grant Hill and Co. can finally end all the chatter by replacing him with the more-than-capable Jaylen Brown. Ever since Derrick White was selected in the squad over the NBA Finals MVP, Team USA’s selection committee has been criticized heavily for leaving JB off the NT.

Well, Kevin Durant’s unavailability could save them from all that trouble, as the vacant spot will make room for Jayson Tatum’s scoring partner in Boston to finally book his long-awaited trip to Paris. But that is still a long shot at this point.

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Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video