Kevin Durant has moved to the next level, whatever level that is. It is a level reserved for the elite NBA player who somehow stands out among the best in the entire world. After setting scoring records for Team USA Basketball in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Durant now has his teammates talking about his talent.
Durant scored another 30 points in the team's final game against Spain to help them win. His play down the stretch had players reflecting back after the win.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game coming in tonight," said Carmelo Anthony. Spain, they didn't quit; very, very physical game. It came down to us making plays. When you have a group of guys that is use to making plays like we have on this team you never know who is going to make those plays. There were times where Chris Paul stepped up big for us; LeBron stepped up; KD was outstanding from the three-point line. It took a couple of little things - rebounding, just buckling down for about four or five minutes out there in the fourth quarter for us to break the game open."
"As you saw late in the game, that's where we really broke away," said Chris Paul, "we got stops, we got in transition and when you've got guys like Melo, KD, and Kobe trailing the play, that's the way we can find those open shots.
Anthony Davis added, "It feels like the national championship all over. [inaudible] being on the court with these guys jumping up and down after we won with LeBron and Kobe, KD, Melo, all the players on the team. A great feeling."
Now there's only a handful of players in the same conversation as Durant, one that likely will put him alongside the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.
For the latest on the 2012 Olympics, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.