The Slim Reaper is an American Hero and Warrior Legend.
As Stephen Curry makes his long overdue first appearance as a player on Team USA basketball in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, let’s take a look back at other players who played on the Olympic stage after spending time in Golden State.
Guys like Kevin Freakin’ Durant!
Durant’s impact on the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team is as profound as his influence on the Golden State Warriors. A scoring machine with a penchant for rising to the occasion, Durant has been a linchpin for Team USA in four Olympic Games—2012 in London, 2016 in Rio, 2021 in Tokyo, and now 2024 in Paris. His journey reflects not only his individual brilliance but also the seamless blend of skills and leadership that he exemplified during his time winning two titles with the Warriors.
Durant’s Olympic debut in 2012 showcased his scoring prowess and versatility. As the leading scorer for Team USA, he averaged 19.5 points per game, culminating in a 30-point performance in the gold medal game against Spain. This display of offensive firepower was a precursor to what Warriors fans would later enjoy, as Durant consistently showed an ability to dominate games with his smooth shooting and clutch play.
The 2016 Olympics came on the heels of Durant’s controversial decision to join the Golden State Warriors, forming a superteam that would dominate the NBA for years. In Rio, Durant silenced doubters and reminded everyone of his capabilities by leading Team USA in scoring once again, averaging 19.4 points per game.
His 30-point outburst in the gold medal game against Serbia was a masterclass in efficiency and poise, attributes that would become hallmarks of his time with the Warriors. Durant’s performance in Rio not only solidified his status as one of the best players in the world but also set the stage for his eventual success in Golden State, where he would win two NBA Finals MVPs.
By the time the Tokyo Olympics arrived, Durant had already left the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, but his legacy with Golden State continued to resonate. Coming back from a devastating Achilles’ injury in the 2019 NBA Finals to lead the U.S. to gold on the international stage is a major confirmation of the super elite career Durant has shaped.
In Tokyo, Durant became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Men’s Olympic basketball history, surpassing Carmelo Anthony’s record. He averaged 20.7 points per game, leading Team USA to another gold medal. His leadership and scoring prowess were pivotal, especially in a tournament where the competition had become fiercer and more balanced. This Olympic run was a reminder of Durant’s enduring excellence and his ability to elevate his game when it matters most—a trait that Warriors fans had come to cherish.
And now in the 2024 Olympics, he’s still lighting up the opposition in extreme Durantian fashion.
Kevin Durant has never dropped 20 pts on 100% from the field in any half of his NBA career, including postseason.
— ESPN (@espn) July 28, 2024
He just dropped 21 on 8-8 shooting off the bench in the first half vs. Serbia pic.twitter.com/We0y1Yv961
And he gets to be reunited with his old Warriors running mate, Stephen Curry! How cool is that, huh?
