In case you missed the memo, Dwyane Wade would let you know that KD has arrived in Paris. Injuries kept Kevin Durant on the bench for most of the pre-Olympics exhibition for this very moment. He stepped into Team USA’s opening game against Serbia to torch Nikola Jokic&Co and cement his status in Olympic history. With some pre-game jitters on his commentating debut, D-Wade watched his once teammate explode in his first nine minutes on Sunday making 21 points on 8/8 shooting from the field. He had the biggest role in Team USA’s 110-84 victorious start. It was such a spectacle, Wade had to express his awe twice.
At halftime, Wade said, “Kevin Durant is incredible.” Didn’t hear it the first time? Wade doubles down. “Do you understand what we just witnessed? Incredible.”
So incredible, the former Olympian hopped on X right after a day of play-by-play to spill out thoughts on the first day of the job. KD earned a special mention for his feat. “I’m sitting here thinking about what KD just did tonite. I just watch one of the greatest basketball moments in my life time… Living Legend!” Cementing his legendary status has apparently even dispelled the one thing giving Wade anxiety about Team USA.
Wade told Carmelo Anthony (the second highest all-time Team USA scorer) that “this team is scary.” He meant it as caution because stacked with NBA veterans, it is challenging enough to distribute the roles to each superstar. Melo and Wade know it as Team USA vets on a talented roster with role players. Like Kobe Bryant relinquishing the alpha dog status to LeBron James in 2012.
I’m sitting here thinking about what KD just did tonite. I just watch one of the greatest basketball moments in my life time.
Living Legend! pic.twitter.com/k0aStjkmrj
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) July 29, 2024
Clearly KD has proven star power doesn’t equal ego clashes. From his teammates to coaches to the sportscasters, everyone could watch him shine as a spectator and enjoy this history-making moment. And Wade is not not alone.
D-Wade has nothing to fear
It was the first time we’re seeing Durant play since the Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the playoffs in the recent season (by Team USA youngster, Anthony Edwards, no less). He finished the game at an outstanding 23 points, 21 of which were in the first half. This is one of the top all-time leading scorers of USA men’s basketball, everyone!
Ja Morant had a Tupac reference to sum up his feelings on KD tonight. Jamal Crawford called KD “one of the greatest” by proving he’s in competition with himself. Durant is one of the four names tied at #4 for scoring 30+ points in Olympic competition (2016 against Serbia again, and 2012 against Spain). But at 458 points overall, he squarely ranks at the top of Team USA’s all-time leading scoring leader in the Olympic competition over LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Kobe Bryant. D-Wade comes in at #9 with 186 points, most of it as 2008 Redeem Team’s leading scorer.
Kevin Garnett observed that KD looked anxious before the game because he knew he was about to make history. At this trajectory, KD is set to make the 500+ mark in Olympic competition and Wade has the front row seat to it.
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