March 2016 Basketball Wiretap

Kevin Durant Cites 'Shoe War' As Factor In Withdrawing From 2014 World Cup

Jul 21, 2016 11:48 AM

Kevin Durant's decision to pull out of the 2014 FIBA World Cup following the injury to Paul George received scrutiny. 

Durant said he was distracted even after arriving for training camp and he "felt weird" after returning to Los Angeles following George's injury.

“I was tired. I felt like I wasn’t 100 percent in. And I can’t be here if I wasn’t 100 percent in. Coach K understood that. He showed me some grace and allowed me to continue playing USA Basketball and I’m very grateful for it,” Durant said. “It was hard, because I love Coach K and Mr. Colangelo, and USA Basketball so much and I didn’t want to disappoint them or let them down, but I felt like I needed time away and have time to rest. There was a lot going on that summer as well. I had the shoe war going on [between Nike and Under Armour], so, mentally, I was like everywhere.”

Durant signed a new deal with Nike worth $285 million over 10 years a few weeks later.

Durant will play for the United States in the 2016 Olympics.

Michael Lee/The Vertical

Tags: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, United States, NBA, National, National World Championships, National Teams

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Marc Gasol Won't Play For Spain In Olympics

Jul 19, 2016 11:20 PM

Marc Gasol will be unable to play in the 2016 Olympics for Spain.

Gasol has yet to fully heal from the broken foot that limited him to 52 games last season. Spain has won the Silver in each of the past two Olympics.

Gasol signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2015 offseason. 

Marc Stein, Marc J. Spears/ESPN

Tags: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies, Spain, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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