Ex-Texas basketball star Kevin Durant, USA, beats Spain convincingly

In what seemed like a much-needed win for the United States and legendary head coach Gregg Popovich on the night of July 18, former star Texas basketball freshman forward Kevin Durant wasn’t really one that stuck out for this team. Facing a Spain team that was looking to give Team USA a run for their money ahead of the start of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, next week, this squad really showed up to play.

KD and the United States definitely had a rough run at things during this pre-Olympic circuit of exhibition games in the past couple of weeks. It started out on a low for the United States last week, with a stunning upset loss to Nigeria. And it didn’t get any better later that week with a second straight loss to Australia.

But the United States did respond in a strong way ahead of the start of the weekend, with a convincing win over Argentina. That was a much-needed win for Team USA over Argentina to finally get this team headed in the right direction.

Former Texas basketball star Kevin Durant helps lead Team USA to a win over Spain

The United States arguably rounded out the pre-Olympic exhibition circuit with the most difficult opposition to date, though. Spain has a lot of NBA talent up and down their rotation, namely with point guard Ricky Rubio and the Gasol brothers.

While Team USA took a while to get off and running in this game, they finally found their rhythm down the stretch in the first half and then took hold of the game for good in the second half.

Although he didn’t shoot that well from the field in this 83-76 win over Spain on July 18, KD was still one of the more productive players for this squad. He registered 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, no steals, two blocks, and no turnovers. And KD shot 5-of-13 from the field, 2-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line.

You would hope for a more efficient performance for KD once the United States starts their run in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo next week. He was up and down for Team USA during this circuit of exhibition games.

Tokyo is where it really matters for KD and the United States. He definitely brings more star power to the table than any other player on this Team USA roster.

The United States will be facing a difficult group in pool play in the Summer Olympics. They will have the face the likes of France, Iran, and the late qualifier in the Czech Republic in pool play starting next week. And it all starts out with the United States facing France to open up the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 25.