While most NBA players would choose to recuperate after an injury-riddled campaign, Kevin Durant and James Harden did the exact opposite.
Just days after a painful exit in the NBA Playoffs, the two Brooklyn Nets stars committed to playing for Team USA in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Obviously, this would mean they'll have a shorter offseason than most NBA players.
While this sounds like a cause for concern, Nets general manager Sean Marks doesn't think so, dismissing the possibility of not allowing Durant and Harden (via New York Post).
“That’s a collective decision where we’ll sit down with the player and also with the performance team and map out this is what it looks like. I think our guys have been through this enough to realize what’s best for them, what’s best for their bodies, and what their ultimate goal is.”
Durant and Harden have won gold medals before with Team USA and after losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 in overtime, suiting up in the quadrennial meet might soften the blow.
“It’s very difficult to turn down playing for your country, and having the opportunity to go out there and having a heck of a summer and win an Olympic gold medal is their objective. For them to turn that down, they’ve got to look at the big picture and say, ‘Am I not healthy?’ For a couple of those guys, I know right now it’s probably not the first thing they’re thinking about.”
Kevin Durant and James Harden are taking a risk playing in the Tokyo Olympics. But they should find relief that their boss is supporting them all the way.
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