So what now?
What now for the fate of this summer’s FIBA World Cup team, but even more to the point what of the status of Team USA basketball and its unquestionable rep of worldwide dominance? On Thursday and in the wake of Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George’s catarosphic, 2015 season-ending injury, a “drained” and even more spooked Kevin Durant painstakingly admitted his heart simply was no longer in repping for the red, white and blue this summer.
“This was an extremely difficult decision as I take great pride in representing our country,” Durant said in a statement. “I know that I owe it to my USA Basketball teammates to be totally invested in the experience. After going through training camp with USAB, I realized I could not fulfill my responsibilities to the team from both a time and energy standpoint.”
Now, don’t get me wrong, no one’s questioning Durant’s toughness, love of the game or country, as since he rose to prominence as one of the world’s top 5 ballers no one, not even LeBron James, seemingly has been a more consistent contributor to the Team USA then this year’s league MVP. But it’s also fair to point out the sight of George crumbling to the Thomas & Mack Center Arena hardwood in Vegas and requiring the aide of several medical staffers and a stretcher simply to leave the venue seems to have unnerved him in ways few opponents have been able to in recent times.
Sensing Durant’s overall importance to the ongoing cause, Team USA honchos were sure to defend The Grim Reaper’s otherwise clearly mortifying news.
“He tried to give it a go at our recent Las Vegas training camp but felt coming out of camp that he was not prepared to fulfill the commitment he made to the team,” said managing director Jerry Colangelo. “Coach K and I fully support Kevin. His well-being is the most important thing to us and we support him taking the time to get ready for next season. He’s been part of the National Team program for eight years and a big part of the success we have achieved, and we look forward to him being part of our success in the future as well.”
Durant’s departure leaves Team USA with just 15 finalists competing for 12 spots on a team that will compete amongst 24 others at the World Cup in Spain from Aug. 30-Sept. 14. But even more alarmingly, it leaves Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Co. wondering who they will turn to as a go-to-player over the course of the two-week tourney.
To date, Bulls guard Derrick Rose far and away has been the team’s most impressive player in camp, but the youngest player in NBA history to be named MVP is coming off back-to-back season-ending knee injuries and a stretch where he has played in just 10 games over the last two NBA seasons. James Harden, Anthony Davis and Steph Curry could also be options.
“I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season,” Durant added. “I will be rooting for USAB and look forward to future opportunities with them.”
Indeed, Kevin Durant will bounce back. All of a sudden, the fate of USA Basketball, both in the long and short-term, isn’t nearly as much a clear-cut thing.
