Kevin Durant – old school is cool
NBA fans will know Kevin Durant, the young Oklahoma City forward who just became the youngest ever NBA player to win the scoring title.
But that’s not the real story here. The real story is one that bodes well not just for the NBA but for the game of basketball as a whole.
Kevin is breaking the rules, and it’s good for the game!
We’ve seen NBA stars have a huge impact on the game globally. Years ago, guys like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan became household names and set an example that the world looked up to. They elevated the game to a new level and raised interest in a sport that until then had been marginal at best.
However, in the past couple of decades, as sports stars have taken on celebrity status, salaries have skyrocketed and attitudes have changed too – often for the worse. Many young stars carry an air of entitlement, believing that the world owes them a favour simply because they are who they are. This has carried through into most cultures and into the game of basketball as values and loyalty have taken a back seat to the big pay day.
And that’s where Kevin Durant comes in.
NBA.com reported recently that Kevin Durant has committed himself to his team – the Oklahoma City Thunder – by agreeing to take on a long-term contract. That’s without an offer on the table from them yet. As the article says: “Kevin Durant is surrendering his bargaining position. Flat out giving it up. Maybe forfeiting millions of dollars, even tens of millions, in the process.” And in doing this, KD took a stand against the establishment – broke all the rules that say you have to hold out for the biggest offer and keep ’em guessing as to who you’re talking to and what you’re being offered.
You can argue that he’ll earn plenty to live on anyway so what difference does it make.
You can argue that he doesn’t like change and would prefer to settle down in a place he knows than have to move again.
You can even argue that he’d rather take a low risk long-term contract in a place he knows to avoid the risk of losing it all if something goes wrong.
You can argue anything you want, really.
The fact is – he’s setting an example – saying that the team and loyalty come before his own career or back pocket.
And in today’s world, this is rare. Kevin Durant is going old school. Yes, it’s cool. And it must be one of the most positive things that any sportsperson has done in a long, long time.
You can read more about Kevin on his blog at kevindurant35.com.
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