Since first entering the league as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Kevin Durant has had his fair share of great players of his generation. Current and future Hall of Famers like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce.
When considering who he looked to for advice on how to reach their superstar status and legendary status, KD pointed to Kobe as an up-and-coming center on the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Honestly, don’t be a crybaby,” Durant said Wednesday on ESPN. I was 23 when I thought the world revolved around me. And I know we talked a lot about Kobe; He was real humble about how he approached the game, how he met his teammates, just life in general. So I learned just by watching his moves.
“He was an example; he didn’t say much, but he was just an example of how he moved, and I try to emulate; like I said, he and Mike are two guys that I look up to, what they do on and off the court, and I know it makes me better.”
The subject of Black Mamba and memories came up when Hornets head coach Steve Clifford compared the two former Finals MVPs to each other. In particular, he noted how the two legendary hoopers are “very similar in approach,” how they are “both students of the game,” and how both Durant and Bryant are passionate and “care deeply about the outcome.” More than you like individual numbers.
When Durant heard about Clifford’s analysis, he was grateful.
“It’s hard to fill their shoes and be Kobe Bryant,” Durant said. “But Kob is a person who was close to me and who I study to this day. And basically, I just try to copy everything he does with Michael Jordan. Those two guys set the tone for everything she wanted to be as a basketball player. So I just try to copy them as much as I can.”
Another Kobe disciple and Durant’s best friend and teammate also noticed the similarities. Irving noticed the sacrifices Durant and Bryant made in pursuit of greatness. Irving reflected that there are similarities for Bryant and Durant and the players in their pursuit of greatness, such as “the hours they put in” and “the way they prepare” and, of course, “how seriously they take what they do.” “
“And they’re very competitive, Kobe and KD. Obviously, as Cap has transitioned over the past few years, he’s given us some gems to go on, and you can tell that K has gotten a lot of advice from him and a lot to watch.
