Kevin Durant leads U.S. rout of Argentina in men’s basketball
RIO DE JANEIRO – As Kevin Durant was alone in his room Wednesday, he decided to approach Team USA’s game against Argentina in an unorthodox way.
He simply stopped caring whether the U.S. won later that night.
It sounded almost rebellious, but it provided a glimpse into the psyche of one of the world’s best basketball players.
“I’m the best when I don’t care if we win or lose,” Durant said. “It may be different for other players, but for me, I’m more free and more aggressive and the game is way more fun for me if I don’t care about the outcome.”
Whether you want to deem his thinking twisted logic, selfishness or utter brilliance, it worked. Durant played his best game of the Olympics – 27 points on 9 of 13 shooting) – and the U.S. in turn played its most complete game with a 105-78 victory – and advanced to Friday’s semifinals against Spain.
“I know if I go out there and be who I am, the outcome will dictate itself,” Durant said. “I just try to play and be free out there, not worry about anything. Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) put me in great position tonight, my teammates were supporting me and I just tried to be aggressive and played my game.”
For once, a U.S. game was more festive and anxious, a welcome departure for the U.S. from its last three contests when the Americans’ looked mortal and fears of an upset grew.
By the end, DeMar DeRozan was practicing his 360 dunks, celebrating abounded on the U.S. bench and the Argentinian fans in the crowd were more concerned with singing a song to taunt the Brazilian fans in attendance than they were with what was happening on the court.
“I don’t know if there’s relief. I just think we’re evolving,” Krzyzewski said. “The last three games showed some weaknesses we had and we tried to get better. The only way you get better is by playing these tough games, so relief I would not use, I’d say we were just better tonight and more of who we can be.”
So was Durant, who clicked playing in a lineup with Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins.
After Argentina jumped to a 19-9 lead, causing its fans to rejoice throughout Carioca Arena I, the Americans jolted from their slumber and scored 27 of the next 29 points.
“When you put a lot of great basketball players on the floor, they figure out a way to make it work,” Butler said. “It’s just basketball. I don’t think you can overthink that. Shoot it when you’re open. Pass it when you’re not. Rebound and guard. Those are the fundamentals of the game.”
George and Butler handled the defense Wednesday, Lowry made sure the ball kept moving on offense and Durant, whether he cared or not, was the main reason the U.S. won.