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August 2016
Kevin  DURANT (USA) with national flag
19/07/2016
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Durant likes the make-up of gold-hungry USA squad

COLORADO SPRINGS (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - The United States' star forward Kevin Durant isn't one for making comparisons. There is no use in trying to point out similarities or differences between the title-clinching 2012 Olympic side he played for and the one he is going into battle with this year in Rio de Janeiro.

"Different players, different teams," he said. "Just appreciate those teams for what they've done. We're not trying to be 2012 or '08 or the Dream Team or any team between that. We're just trying to be us and come back with the gold."

Reaching the top of the podium is all that matters for Durant, an outstanding player during his time with USA Basketball. His greatest achievement was leading the Americans to the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Durant was the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

He was excellent two years later at the Olympics in London, too, as part of a team that looked unstoppable for most of that summer.

Only Spain presented a genuine challenge for the Americans in the United Kingdom. The USA won their Final, 107-100.

What having Durant in the team does for the USA is give it an experienced player, one that is fearless. If the Americans ever need a basket, you can bet Durant will be in the game.

More than anything else, Durant's return to the squad after missing the 2014 World Cup ensures that the team has another winner. Both tournaments that he has played in with the national team ended with the USA in first place.

On a personal level, he simply cannot stomach the idea that he and his American teammates might come home without a title.

The last two times that happened was in 2004 and 2006 at the Athens Olympics and FIBA Basketball World Cup, respectively.

Only one result, Durant says, will be acceptable.

"To bring back gold," he said. "Anything less than that, we don't want it. Our mentality has always been like that. We still have to put the work in. We can't go over there and expect to win. We have to put the work in and everybody is excited for it."

Next month, there will be no LeBron James, no Chris Paul, no Dwyane Wade, no Kobe Bryant and no Russell Westbrook. Stephen Curry, the two-time reigning NBA MVP, won't be in Rio, either. There are stars missing, yet there are plenty of stars going.

The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP, Kyrie Irving, will be in Brazil as well as his World Cup teammates Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan and DeMarcus Cousins. They were part of an all-conquering unit in Spain two years ago.

Carmelo Anthony will be there. He'll become a four-time Olympian.

Outstanding players in the NBA like Paul George, Draymon Green, Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Harrison Barnes and DeAndre Jordan, will be newcomers.

What does Durant expect the strength of this group to be?

Meet the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team Roster: usab.com/mntroster #UNITE #RoadToRio #USABMNT

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"Just the different skill sets that we have and how they come together uniquely," he said. "We've got shooters. We've got guys that can do the dirty work. We've got scorers.

"We've got great passers. So I'm kind of anxious to see how coach puts it all together. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun. It's a great experience, and I'm looking forward to it all."

FIBA