Photo: USA Basketball/X

Kevin Durant, fresh off his fourth Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games, made it clear he doesn’t believe other countries are closing the gap in basketball. Durant shared his thoughts during an appearance on the Out The Mud Podcast, addressing narratives about increased international competition.

“This basketball sh*t is ours,” Durant said, via HoopsHype, emphasizing the U.S.’s historical dominance in the sport. “We created this sh*t for real. Like, the best players come from the places we come from. We set the standard for what being great in basketball is.”

Durant dismissed the idea that tighter games at the Olympics indicate a decline in U.S. superiority. He pointed out how Team USA has consistently dominated global competitions, citing their ability to rise above the challenges of professional basketball on and off the court.

The United States demonstrated their dominance at the Paris Olympics, starting with an emphatic 122-87 victory over Serbia in the group stage. They followed up with a commanding 110-65 win against South Sudan and a 105-70 triumph over Puerto Rico to finish group play unbeaten.

In the quarterfinals, Team USA overwhelmed Brazil 122-87, setting up a rematch with Serbia in the semifinals. Despite facing a stronger challenge, the Americans emerged victorious, 95-91, to secure their spot in the gold medal game.

The final against France, a team known for its physicality and discipline, showcased Team USA’s resilience. Behind Durant’s leadership and timely contributions from Stephen Curry and LeBron James, the U.S. sealed a 98-87 victory to claim their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Durant also addressed the heightened scrutiny of Team USA’s closer games in recent tournaments, saying, “They finally get closer than 20 points, and now you’re saying they’re catching up? Nah, that doesn’t make sense.” He reaffirmed the difficulty of being a professional basketball player and credited the U.S. for maintaining its dominance despite the evolving competition.