Since he first broke into the League because the No. 2 general decide within the 2007 NBA Draft, Kevin Durant has had his fair proportion of battles in opposition to among the biggest gamers of his technology. Corridor of Famers within the current and future like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Paul Pierce.
When he thinks about who he sought out for recommendation on how you can attain their degree of superstardom and legendary standing, KD identified the sport Kobe put him on to as an up-and-coming centerpiece on the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
“Actually, simply don’t be a crybaby,” Durant stated Wednesday, per ESPN. “I used to be at that age at 23 the place I assumed the world revolved round me. And I do know we’ve talked quite a bit about Kobe; he was actual humble in how he approached the sport, how he approached his teammates, simply life on the whole. So I discovered simply from watching his actions.
“He was an instance; he didn’t say a lot, however he was an instance simply by how he moved, and I attempt to emulate; like I stated, him and Mike are two dudes I emulate on and off the courtroom what they do, and I do know it’ll make me higher.”
The topic and reminiscences of the Black Mamba got here up as a result of Hornets head coach Steve Clifford in contrast th two former Finals MVPs to one another. He particularly known as out how the 2 legendary hoopers are “very comparable by way of the best way work,” how they’re “each college students of the sport,” and he’s observed that Durant and Bryant are each passionate and “care deeply in regards to the outcomes greater than they like particular person numbers.”
When Durant heard about Cliffords’ evaluation, he was appreciative.
“It’s arduous to fill them sneakers and be a Kobe Bryant,” Durant stated. “However Kob is any individual I’ve been round and nonetheless examine to at the present time. And mainly, I simply attempt to copy the whole lot he does, identical with Michael Jordan. These two guys simply set the tone for the whole lot you need to be as a basketball participant. So I simply merely attempt to copy them as a lot as I can.”
One other Kobe disciple and an in depth buddy and teammate of Durant additionally discover the similarities. Irving observed the sacrifices Durant and Bryant made within the pursuit of greatness. Irving additionally mirrored that for Bryant and Durant and gamers chasing greatness, there are similarities like “the hours which can be put in,” in addition to “the best way that they put together” and, after all, “how critical they take what they do.”
“And so they’re very aggressive, Kobe and KD. Clearly, with Kob transitioning in the previous few years, he would undoubtedly be giving us some gems to proceed on, and you may inform that Ok received quite a lot of recommendation from him and watched him quite a bit.”
