Players’ priorities may change as their respective NBA careers progress. A trajectory that has followed a very specific narrative in the case of Kevin Durant, as well as guarded thoroughly by a large sector of fans.
Early in his career, Durant worried a lot about how he was perceived and what legacy he would leave behind after leaving the league. A vision that has evolved little by little. Now, the current Phoenix Suns forward has declared in an interview for the medium The Athletic that he is not obsessed with leaving a deep mark on the NBA.
“I don’t care about the legacy,” Durant said. “I used to do it. I used to want to create a path or a space in this league that people could remember. Now it’s too much. Focuses too much on other people. ‘What has he done?, what has he done?’ comparisons. Before, when I was not in the debate, I worried. He was about to be on the same level as the best. It was great. But, nowadays, I really don’t care. I just want to go out and produce, be the best I can be, come home and spend time with my family. That’s all.”
Durant’s mentality changed after signing with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. This change of scenery was heavily criticized and labeled as a step backwards. Instead of trying to compete against the Warriors, the then-defending Western Conference champions, the forward joined them and increased the potential of an already very powerful team. His decision led to two rings and two Finals MVP awards, but it also changed the perception many fans had of him.
“Once I left for the Warriors, I think that anything I’ve done, no matter how logical, has been criticized,” continued the one from Washington. “When it comes to me, people aren’t going to think logically or just look at what I’ve done and say that’s it. They have to add a narrative to it, they have to push something to discredit me. Once I went to the Warriors, that has become something to discredit me at every step I’ve taken.”
“It’s like, dammit, that’s not even funny. They’re not even telling the truth. They constantly move the goal about what they expect from me to say that I am a failure if I do not reach it. […] People want their own experience and opinion in the NBA. Your perception is your perception. I can not say anything. When some fan says, ‘KD, I don’t like how you did this.’ I can’t be upset about it. That is his vision and how he sees the league. I just learned to accept that, move on, and be the best version of myself.”
As far as his legacy is concerned, it has not finished being written. Another championship with the Suns, without a doubt, would reinforce an already quite solid and complete resume. In fact, Durant has long established himself as one of the most versatile, effective and dangerous scorers in NBA history.
(Cover photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
