You do not hear stories about Kevin Durant the same way we currently hear about Wade, Bosh and Lebron this summer. We always hear about where they were going, which leaves every fans hanging at their every word along with me included. Yet, where is Durant? He is someone who would have been available in 2011 Free Agency along with Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker that is unless we have a lockout but that is a story for another year.
This morning, Kevin Durant signed a 5 year 86 million dollar deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It would have been big news that he would stay with a team that will no doubt dominate the West after the Lakers reign is over within 1-2 years maybe three. Yet, his signing was unfortunately sent to the back pages as Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh agreed to join forces in Miami along with Carlos Boozer going to Chicago. It's not surprising that Kevin Durant's signing has been overshadowed but that has been part of his whole career from day one partly due to playing in a market like Oklahoma City. In addition, a city who received a team that was literally hijacked from Seattle just two years before.
Anyway I digress, what makes Durant different from his peers is that he shares similar special traits that Tim Duncan currently displays with the San Antonio Spurs. He has become their big brother who always treats his teammates as well as rookies or journeymen trying to make the team as equals. In fact, he is currently in Orlando coaching the OKC summer league that looks like an elite academy team for a major soccer club. He cheers and encourages them during the game. What kind of Superstar in the NBA does that anymore?
Does Bosh do it? Does Lebron do it? Does Kobe do it or even Michael Jordan AKA G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time)? No!!!. This is unheard of in the 21st Century of sports athletes. You would think it went extinct the way of players doubling the coach of the team or riding the bus for a 18-32 hour bus ride to the next game and even sleeping in a run of the mill motel rather than a posh hotel.
Today, we hear about players becoming brands but not Kevin Durant. He will get endorsements but probably will be in the background of a commercial starring a Lebron, or Wade. Yet, Durant is all about winning which is what great players are all about going back to Jerry West, Bill Russell, Willis Reed, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Elgin Baylor, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Isiah Thomas, Michael Jordan, and etc. This is a superstar that basketball aficionados will enjoy and revere long after his career much like they do with John Stockton has been set in stone.
Al Davis said it best and it is Kevin Durant's mantra for the next six years he is in Oklahoma City: Just Win Baby.
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