via Imago
Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant LONDON, Aug. 12, 2012 – American basketball players pose with gold medals at the awarding ceremony of men s basketball event, at London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, August 12, 2012. The USA team claimed title of the event. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin) (zgp) (OLY2012)BRITAIN-LONDON-MEN S BASKETBALL-AWARDING PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
via Imago
Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant LONDON, Aug. 12, 2012 – American basketball players pose with gold medals at the awarding ceremony of men s basketball event, at London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, August 12, 2012. The USA team claimed title of the event. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin) (zgp) (OLY2012)BRITAIN-LONDON-MEN S BASKETBALL-AWARDING PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
With less than one week to go before the start, the excitement around the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup has reached a new peak. The USA basketball fans are eagerly looking forward to it after their team’s dismal performance last time around. Their roster for the tournament, though, has turned out to become a source of frustration for several fans.
The team comprises no clear superstar and is entering the competition without the nation’s top scorer. That raises one particular question.
Who is Team USA’s all-time leading scorer?
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If the Olympic stats are to be believed, the current Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is the all-time top scorer of Team USA. He surpassed Carmelo Anthony in the 2020 Olympics with 435 points in just 22 games. The two-time NBA champion showed his wrath whenever he represented his nation on the big stages.
Participating in three Olympics, he was the team’s top scorer on two occasions. The 34-year-old recorded a double figure in points in each of his 22 appearances, with nine 20+ points. His average of 19.3 points per game is also the reportedly best amongst the USA basketball players.
He holds the record for the American man with the most three-pointers made in the Olympics, with 71 in total. KD is also third overall for Team USA in rebounds. So, his absence from the current national basketball team would be a huge void to fill in.
Can Kevin Durant win his third ring this season?
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The former Golden State Warriors star received criticism after his move to the Dub Nation from Oklahoma City Thunder. Eventually, he proved himself right by winning two championships there but has struggled ever since. He failed to go all the way with Brooklyn Nets and also with the Suns last season.
USA Today via Reuters
May 1, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts in the second half against the Denver Nuggets during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The former MVP has cemented his legacy in the NBA as one of the greatest of all time. But he has been in a long search for his third ring. With age and injuries catching up with him slowly, he nowadays prefers to recover rather than contribute to his national team in the off-season.
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No matter what happens in the future, KD’s legacy for the NBA and Team USA would always remain intact. An enigma at times, he stands tall forever as an aspiring basketball figure.
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