Team USA has just wrapped up camp in Las Vegas. The national team will now play several exhibition games before the Rio Olympics officially begin.
As always, Team USA is the favorite to win the tournament. While the team will certainly be gunning for the gold medal, it may have an even more important task.
Allow Kevin Durant to explain (h/t Matt Moore of CBS Sports):
“We’re going through a tough time right now, in the country and also around the world, and we can provide that sense of togetherness and unity,” new Warriors star Kevin Durant said. “Obviously, we definitely want to win a gold medal. That’s the most important thing for us as basketball players. But when we look at the big picture of things, we want people to see how much we love each other, see how much we love being around each other. … We want that united feel when you watch us play. I think having these great group of guys together, you’ll see that.”
Durant is 100 percent correct. The country has been reeling due to some tough circumstances, from shootings to politics. While basketball is secondary to all of that, seeing a group of players passionately playing for their country does bring a good vibe.
NBA athletes have been speaking out about the recent tragedies, calling for others to take action. Kevin Durant is merely the most recent to connect basketball with important social issues.
