In a chat with the media during Team USA's quest for the gold, NBA superstar Kevin Durant took a minute to acknowledge being recognized for his impact on the game. He stressed that it's his fellow players who matter and it's the ones who he competes with daily that hold his respect.
"It's pretty cool when you hear it from the real players, the guys actually putting in the work, that are trying to make it to the NBA. You hear what I've meant to them and their careers," said Durant. "Then you hear what other people say about me sometimes, and they don't understand my impact. But when you talk to the players, they give you a whole different story, which is pretty cool. It always comes down to what the guys on the floor are saying about you. Those are the opinions I really respect."
Durant, a 2x champion, is now all-time the leading scorer for Team USA after the first Group stage . He is also one of the more controversial figures in the NBA. After being drafted 2nd overall in 2007, he rose to stardom on the Thunder and led them to contention alongside his teammate, Russell Westbrook.
Eventually, Durant split from the Thunder and he went on to become a 2x champion with the Golden State Warriors. Today, as a 14x All-Star and 4x scoring champion, Durant has reached legendary status in the NBA and his legacy is surpassed by few. His career changed the NBA forever and his skills helped make the game what it is today.
Unfortunately for Durant, his reputation among the fans and media doesn't line up with his play on the court. Ever since his move to the Warriors in 2016, Durant has moved unapologetically and has gone so far as to combat the fans on social media.
So when Kevin talks about people "not understanding" his impact on the sport, it's not a mystery who he's referring to. For years now, the 2x Finals MVP has been battling the media and all those who dared to challenge or question his greatness.
Of course, as Durant has stated, the only opinions that really matter to him are from his fellow players. One by one, they've all shown nothing but love and respect to the 14x All-NBA player and it's clear that he has become a major inspiration for the next generation of ballers.
At 35 years old, it remains to be seen how much longer Durant has left at the top but he hasn't shown any signs of aging in these Olympics with averages of 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game through the group stage.
As arguably the greatest Olympian in American basketball history, Durant has all the validation he'll ever need from his achievements, his dominant presence on the court, and all of the fans he's won over every step of the way.
Love him or hate him, Durant's impact on the game cannot be denied and his legacy will be forever marked in the lore of NBA history. Even Durant's fiercest opponents can recognize his importance and it says a lot about how much his career stands out compared to the rest.
Related: Coach K Endorses Kevin Durant As The Greatest Olympic Basketball Player Ever
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