As expected, Team USA brought back the gold from the Rio Olympics on Sunday. But it was a bittersweet moment for the team and the American fans. 2016 likely means the end of one era’s prominence on Team USA.
Carmelo Anthony was the oldest member of this iteration of the team . He was a symbol of the generation of players that reignited the United States’ domination of international basketball after the embarrassing finish in 2004. With LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and many more either absent or retired, Melo was the last remnant of that generation.
The New York Knicks star announced following the game that he is now retired from international basketball, as well. Therefore, there is a void for the leader of the team when the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo come around.
The likely candidate to fill that hole is Kevin Durant. The new Golden State Warrior will be one of the best and most dedicated players on Team USA in four years. However, Durant is still unsure about whether he will be on the team to assume that role.
Following from Michael Lee of The Vertical:
“I can’t say right now,” Durant told The Vertical. “I’ll be 31, going on 32 …”
Overhearing the conversation, Anthony jumped in and shouted, “He’ll be playing in 2020 and 2024! I’m right. I’m right.”
Durant laughed and shook his head as Anthony darted ahead as the most decorated American Olympic basketball player. For now. “I want to pass him, for sure. Just because it’s ‘Melo, I would love to pass him. But I don’t know if I’ll play or not,” Durant told The Vertical. “Who knows? We’ll see. You never know what’s going to happen in four years. I’m just going to enjoy this one right now.”
Obviously, as Durant states, projecting what will happen four years from now is difficult. But as long as nothing drastic occurs in that time, it is hard to imagine Kevin Durant not being on the next version of Team USA.
Durant called the experience in Rio therapeutic. He clearly has a friendly rivalry with Melo and would love to become Team USA’s all-time leading scorer at the Olympics (he is currently third). One more Olympics appearance would cement Durant at the top of the list, if he chooses to do so.
