Durant’s Modest Aspiration: ‘To Just Relax and Play Ball’-2

     At 23, Durant is almost as gifted as the golden man-child, James, and almost as committed as Bryant, the N.B.A.’s Sun Tzu, with fewer hangups and no pratfalls (albeit with fewer opportunities to fall on his face).

    “I could tell you he’s the hardest-working kid we’ve ever had,” Texas Coach Rick Barnes said. “He’s also the best teammate we’ve ever had.”Of course, if Durant has yet to show unseemly flaws, people will be glad to make some up when the time comes. Nike air max 1 hypefuse mens on sale.
    James’s fall started in 2009 — in the midst of his back-to-back M.V.P. run — when he averaged 39 points in the Cavaliers’ loss in the East Conference finals and was bashed for not congratulating Orlando players. Nike kobe 7 all star is hot now.
     Durant’s learning process ramped up painfully — but with less scrutiny — in his 2009 playoff debut, a first-round loss to the Lakers. He shot 35 percent from the field while being bounced around like a pinball by the 6-foot-7, 250-pound Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace).

    “I think that was one of the best thing to happen to Kevin,” Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks said.

      “I don’t think he was quite ready, but he was 21 years old against a guy that’s probably 50 pounds heavier. He was getting pushed around, but it helped. He’s better at it now. He’s matured up before our eyes.”Soft-spoken, all but cloistered as a 19-year-old rookie in the franchise’s final season in Seattle, Durant now speaks his mind as one of the few NBA stars who talk before games.

    Question: “What did you learn about playoff basketball from Ron Artest?”

     Answer: “Nothing.”

    To be sure, it is a focused mind that dismisses diva concerns like endorsement dollars — “I’m a basketball player” — noting the blessings already at hand,  like his five-year, $85 million contract.

   Divas come with protective attitudes like body armor, not to mention real bodyguards.

   Bryant’s eyes shoot laser glares. James is a runaway tank.

   Durant is Bambi?

   “You don’t think I have a chip on my shoulder?” he said, although it was hard to tell if he was amused or offended.

   “You don’t think I’m angry or nothing?

   “I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve, man. I’m always angry when I’m on the floor. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I feel like people write me off sometimes, but I’m not the guy who’s always going to talk about it.”

 “I do have that will,” Durant added. “I always want to be one of the best players to play this game. I know it’s easier said than done.”

“It’s a long road,” he said, “but I’m looking forward to that journey.”

He is not likely to look like Bambi when his journey ends, but so far, so good.