clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Team USA Basketball: Kevin Durant Admits Playing With LeBron 'Tough'

The NBA Finals are over, but that doesn't mean Kevin Durant has forgotten the pain of losing to the Miami Heat in five games, especially now that he sees LeBron James everyday in Olympic practices.

In an interview with the AP, Durant admitted that it's been a tough situation:

"It does, but what can I do?" Durant said Tuesday. "He's my teammate now. I'm a team player. I can't let that affect this. This is bigger than that. It's tough to lose in the Finals and play the guy you've been going up against for five games who beat you. So me, I'm just going to get over it, still be a great teammate, come out and play hard."

There's no reason to think there's any friction between the two friends, who should be a lethal combination in the Olympics.

However, at the end of the day, there are only so many MVP's and championships to go around, and LeBron is a 6'9 270 road block standing in the way of Durant's ultimate goals. Practicing against him gives Durant a goal and lets him know how far he has to go to reach the NBA's promised land.

For more on the Thunder check out Welcome To Loud City. For more news and notes from around the NBA head over to SB Nation's NBA page.