via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Basketball – Men – Gold medal match – France v United States – Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan – August 7, 2021. Kevin Durant of the United States celebrates after scoring a basket with teammates REUTERS/Molly Darlington
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Basketball – Men – Gold medal match – France v United States – Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan – August 7, 2021. Kevin Durant of the United States celebrates after scoring a basket with teammates REUTERS/Molly Darlington
Team USA Men?s Basketball Team continued with their slow starts even in the Gold medal game at the Tokyo Olympics. The defending champions started with a 4-10 mark as the French side pushed the gas pedal early. However, Kevin Durant could still make his presence felt in those initial minutes.?
If not for KD, there was no way the Americans would have finished the first quarter with a crucial 4-point lead. With that consistency in his performance, the lethal sniper got his name etched in Golden letters alongside the greats.
On the attack 💥@KDTrey5 x #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/VZZVEQzsRJ
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 7, 2021
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Kevin Durant left Michael Jordan & LeBron James behind
In the finals game, Kevin Durant was the first player to reach the double-figure as he single-handedly took care of the Frenchmen. At one point, the 2x NBA Champion had 19 points out of Team USA?s total 39. Plus, this wasn?t the first time he played like this. In the last fortnight, he has been the most consistent American hoopster, claiming back-to-back big nights.
As a result, KD has now become the first player ever to amount 100+ points thrice in the Olympics. Neither MJ (?84, ?92) nor Bron (?04, ?08, ?12) could cover one such tremendous mark.
Kevin Durant is the first player to score 100+ points in 3 different Olympics in United States Men's Basketball history.
The only other players to do this in 2 Olympics are LeBron James and Michael Jordan. pic.twitter.com/DuGJ9JOB9i
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 7, 2021
Now, with the next Olympics coming back in a gap of just three years, chances are strong that a 35-YO KD can come back and further make this a 4x record.
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KD kept the American dream safe and alive?
In the semis against Marc Gasol?s Australia, the US was trailing by 15 points when Kevin Durant was doing all the heavy lifting. It was because of his scoring and leadership that the likes of Devin Booker & Jayson Tatum later saved the game.
The Sniper entered the finals with an average of 19 under his belt. He had scored 10 (France), 10 (Iran), 23 (Czech Republic), 29 (Spain), and 23 (Australia) before facing Evan Fournier and his men. But with 21 points by halftime at 7/14 from the field and two successful three-pointers, he entered the league of very few athletes who ever averaged 20+.
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Do you think Luka Doncic (Slovenia) can beat these records of KD in the upcoming additions? Help us know in the comments section below.
Watch this story – Zach LaVine and Other Stars? Top Performance from the Tokyo Olympics Men?s Basketball Semis
