Kevin Durant is one of the more polite and accessible stars in the NBA.

Thus, it didn’t surprise when he patiently listened to a long-winded question from a foreign journalist asking how the U.S. can win Sunday’s gold medal game against Spain when it’s more a collection of superstars than a true national team that trains together for four years.

What mildly surprised is how edgy Durant’s answer defending himself, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and his teammates sounded.

“Not one guy that you named is averaging what we average with our (NBA) teams,” Durant said, his annoyance palpable. “Guys are coming out and sacrificing shots and minutes and opportunity for the betterment of the team. You’ve seen it the last seven games. We’ve been passing very, very well.

“And nobody has an ego. You’re not seeing anybody come to the bench mad because they didn’t get a shot or mad because they didn’t get an opportunity. Guys don’t care. Whoever shoots, if it goes in we clap and get back on defense. We don’t worry about what people say about us being a team. I think we’re a very tight team.”

via K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune