Kevin Durant Says LeBron James ‘Puts Fear In The Other Team’

NBA legends Kevin Durant and LeBron James led Team USA to a 110-84 victory over Serbia on Sunday to open the Olympics. 

Durant had 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while LeBron put up 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. 

“I’m so grateful to have him back,” Durant said about LeBron. “We missed him the last two Olympics. He puts fear in the other team. I think that goes a long way.”

Durant and LeBron are the first Team USA teammates to score over 20 points in an Olympic opener.

Team USA plays South Sudan next on Wednesday. 

“LeBron puts his imprint on the game in so many different ways,” Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s not just his skill and his strength and his size, but it’s his emotion, his confidence. Just the way he infuses our team with energy and confidence at 39 is just amazing.”

LeBron and Durant are two of the best players in NBA history. They have combined to win five MVPs, six championships and six Finals MVPs. 

“KD was phenomenal,” LeBron said. “If you watch him in practice, everything that he does in practice is game speed, so it’s no surprise that he comes out and gets right to it. But it’s great to have him on your side. … At the end of the day, you’re not surprised. I mean, he’s just an out-of-this-world talent.”

With LeBron and Durant leading the way, Team USA should win the gold medal again. 

“I’ve (come off the bench) a couple of times in the NBA — three times,” Durant said. “That’s enough for me to just kind of lean on those times. You know, that’s what I thought about as I was coming in, just staying ready mentally, staying focused on what the game plan is. And when I come in, don’t make the game about myself. Try to add to the team. And tonight I was able to (do that).”