Kevin Durant responds to Joel Embiid's comments on Team USA's aging players
Joel Embiid’s comments about Team USA getting more hype than they deserve have created quite a storm ahead of the Paris Olympics. The Philadelphia 76ers superstar, in an interview with New York Times Magazine, said that some of his teammates "are older.” He gave 39-year-old LeBron James as an example.
“The Process” explained that as dominant as James has been, the four-time NBA MVP “is not the same” as he was years ago. Embiid added that Team USA might be overrated because some are “not what they used to be.”
Kevin Durant, who will turn 36 years old in September, had this to say about Joel Embiid’s comments, per Joe Vardon of “The Athletic:”
"Of course, we’re older and we all have mileage on our bodies. But we figure out ways to be effective, just as Joe has as he’s gone through injuries.
“The thing about greatness is that you adjust and continue to find ways to be effective.”
Kevin Durant also defended LeBron James:
“He’s not running and jumping the same way he was when he was 25, 26 years old, but he’s still jumping pretty high and running pretty fast.”
Six players on Team USA’s roster are at least 30 years old, including Joel Embiid. 36-year-old Steph Curry tossed in his thoughts on the issue, according to the same Vardon report:
“It’s a 5-man team (on the court at one time), so you’ve got to put it all together.”
The Golden State Warriors superstar is right. Aging or young, overrated or not, the Americans have to work as one to win their fifth straight gold medal.
Team USA has been together for a few weeks and is still a work in progress. Joel Embiid and Co. were nearly embarrassed by South Sudan and Germany in back-to-back games. The release of that interview could not have come at the worst possible time.
Steve Kerr will lean heavily on Team USA’s aging players
Team USA coach Steve Kerr has not hesitated to lean heavily on LeBron James and Steph Curry. He may have the deepest and most talented roster but when the game is on the line, he will not hesitate to turn on those two.
Kerr has also inserted Joel Embiid into that partnership. The Golden State Warriors play-caller has named the trio his only guaranteed starters. The remaining two spots in the starting five could remain in flux throughout the Olympics.
Steve Kerr will also count on Kevin Durant if the “Slim Reaper” is healthy enough to play. If KD is given the green light to suit up, Kerr will unquestionably give him minutes.
Jrue Holiday might also line up regularly even if he isn’t named a starter. Kerr worked with him before in Japan three years ago and valued his impact on both ends of the floor. The Americans could open every game with a lineup averaging over 30 years old.
Joel Embiid is somewhat right about his comments. Team USA might be aging but Steve Kerr will ride the coattails of his veteran superstars to success or failure.