USA Basketball Lets Go of our Future

By Coach Dan Barto, Assistant Coach, The Pro Training Center at IMG Academies

 Kevin Durant was cut for one reason only.  The NBA stars that committed to play in this World Championship do not want to be upstaged.

 Walk the walk.  Talk the talk.  That’s all the kid knows and all he has ever done.

 Score 22 points in an intra-quad scrimmage against the best of the best at a position shared with Kobe, James, Melo, Prince, and Redd, and let the haters line up.

 Does USA Basketball need to avoid making any “risky” decisions?  Can someone get fired for taking a chance on mega-talent like Durant?

 I agree that Jerry and Mike were sure of the following:

 Yes, he is a little too skinny.
Yes, his defense is suspect.
Yes, he’s a little quiet and shy.
Yes, we need a shot blocker.
Yes, we need rebounding.

 But can anyone doubt that this young man will ultimately be able to do all of those things far better with time?  And in the meantime, shouldn’t he begin the grooming process now?

 I was not in practice, and I did not attend the intra-squad scrimmages, but I know ego played a large role in the decision to release Durant.  I have spent hours and hours training different NBA and college stars, and there are very few that have matched Kevin Durant’s ability, work ethic, talent, and professionalism.

 Watching his “yes sir, no sir”- go to exhaustion attitude on a Saturday night at 6PM in a recreation center with no AC was like watching Jordan go for 60 against the Cavs.  His talent and desire is jaw-dropping.

That is threatening to these guys that “gave up their summer” ,“are away from their families”, and are“tired from a long year”.

 My dad, who coached for 25 years, used to always say “equal talent and work ethic, I take the younger player every time because the older players had their chance”.  Durant, probably, has more talent and a better work ethic than many of the guys that were kept.

 Kevin Durant got cut because USA basketball was too scared to step on the toes of veteran and marketing superstars.    Shame on Jerry and Mike for not enacting a vision of what USA basketball should  be; offering hungry and talented players rather than “comfortable” stars who are often more concerned about issues other than just winning.