TOKYO – The U.S. men’s basketball team has a roster that lacks both tall men who can consistently bounce off and perimeter players who can regularly beat threesomes. It can make for some long droughts and nerve-wracking moments.

What it has is Kevin Durant, however, and the Brooklyn Nets Star and Seat of Pleasant, Maryland, native is slowly taking over these Olympics.

Durant scored 29 critical points to lead the Americans to a 95-81 win over Spain in a quarter-final game here on Tuesday. This is followed by a 23-point win against the Czech Republic at the end of the group game.

The win drives the USA to a semi-final against Australia or Argentina on Thursday. The US has won a medal in all 18 Olympic Games in which it has participated, and has won gold in 15 of them.

“We play for a lot of people at home and for a lot of people around the world who support us,” Durant said on NBC. “The guys are putting everything on the line to win this. The guys will do whatever it takes to win. “

Durant’s exploits were required to offset a brilliant performance by Spain Ricky Rubiothat was almost unstoppable. Rubio hit 13 of 20 strokes, came consistently where he wanted and finished with 38 points. Olympic Games only last 40 minutes.

Kevin Durant walks for a dunk against Team Spain in the first half of a men’s basketball quarterfinal match on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 03, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Jason Tatum added 13, Jrue Holiday 12 and Damian Lillard 11 for the US.

But mainly this was the KD show. He hit 10 of 17 shots, provided four assists. He hit the post and in the perimeter, during the break and while driving the train. Spain couldn’t stop him.

In the first half, he shot 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) out of the field. The rest of the team scored 18 out of 46 (.391). If it hadn’t been for Durant, this one could have been over sooner.

This team will never be among the best teams the United States sent here. Too many opt-outs due to Covid protocols and a bizarre NBA calendar. Too much roster flow with late changes and even late arrivals (three players came out of the NBA finals on the day of the Olympic opener). Strange Roster Decisions – Trae Young Couldn’t Help?

The story goes on

But when Durant kicks in, they are the team to beat here. With his height of 2.70 m, the captain is almost unguarded and plays with admirable and contagious defensive intensity. He is the leader.

He creates so many match-up problems that the game can become easy for everyone else. He dived after so many loose balls that no one else could lack intensity. He cheered and clenched his fist so often as he took a breather on the bench that no one else could be lacking in passion.

Every bit of it was needed after the United States struggled in the first half. They went 4 out of 17 behind the arch and were outdone by 11. However, Durant heated up just before the break to send the Americans in half at 43.

The Americans then stepped up in every way, starting the third with a crucial 22-6 run that put Spain on their heels.

“We came out in that third place, hit her in the mouth and took control of the game,” said Durant.

Spain, whose roster is full of NBA or former NBA players, came in second in the world, behind the U.S. It was knocked out by the Americans in the last three Olympics and played an inspired game of ball movement and rebound. It’s an experienced crew.

You had the US on the ropes in the first half, but when you have Kevin Durant you can take a few blows.

The Americans have it. Nobody else.

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