I noticed this last night after the game and during the final minutes of the game.

What a great kid.

And sometimes we are reminded that many of these huge wealthy players are still very young and vulnerable...

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/...-SsPRfWY3I

I worked in Media Relations for the Grizzlies from 2006-2010. Kevin Durant was by far the nicest and most humble player that I've ever met . This includes both Grizzlies, and Other Visiting Teams.

He's a jerk in real life...

(06-22-2012 12:39 PM)UMTiger02 Wrote:  I worked in Media Relations for the Grizzlies from 2006-2010. Kevin Durant was by far the nicest and most humble player that I've ever met . This includes both Grizzlies, and Other Visiting Teams.

Who were among the nastiest or least personable?

Too bad he didnt put much effort into playing defense. Usually the best player on one team wants and relishes the challenge of defending the best player on the next team given they play similar positions.

Durant wanted NO PARTS of Lebron. The few times he did try and check him, Lebron dribbled past KD as though he was a mattador. I could only imagine the comments this mssge board wouldve produced had that been Rudy shying away from Lebron like that.

KD shouldve said thanks for trying Harden, but I'll put this guy in check (especially in the 4th Q).

The most revealing thing about Durant was revealed in an interview with Orlando's Pat Williams. He mentioned that Durant welcomes draft picks, either by going to the draft in person or going to rookie league and working out with them (I can't remember which -- maybe both). When Williams had a medical emergency, he received words of concern from KD.

This was with Cowherd. I heard it in the car. My memory is not perfect.

Durant played fine. The thunder role players were terrible.

The idea here was noting that even wealthy athletes are vulnerable...as evidenced by his hug with his mom.

Was not meant as an invitation to turn insecure hate that was aimed at LeBron to Durant. But- if that is what makes you feel better- certainly your prerogative.

It was a very human moment.

But...thanks.

(06-22-2012 02:08 PM)Rob Wrote:  Durant played fine. The thunder role players were terrible.

He is only going to get better. Look how long it took Dirk to get to the level that he is now. Durant is there now. He is scary good.

(06-22-2012 03:15 PM)Tiger46 Wrote:  

(06-22-2012 02:08 PM)Rob Wrote:  Durant played fine. The thunder role players were terrible.

He is only going to get better. Look how long it took Dirk to get to the level that he is now. Durant is there now. He is scary good.

Definitely. He's only 23

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8051352

Colin Cowherd's interview with Pat Williams, at 6:25. Goes to the draft to welcome picks, goes to rookie league to work with rookies, tweeted Pat Williams when he received cancer diagnosis.

Good kid.

I didn't watch the whole celebration part afterwards. Did the cameras ever show lebron james hugging his mom and sharing a moment with her?

Or was she busy with delonte west? (aight, couldn't help it...the first question is serious, was lebron's mom there?).

FWIW, i think durant is a great superstar, a winner, a good teammate, and a good guy. He'll be back. I like seeing players sharing moments with their parents, spouses, children, etc.

(06-22-2012 02:08 PM)Rob Wrote:  Durant played fine. The thunder role players were terrible.

This

14 days ago if someone had said "the stars will play like stars and the role players will be what wins the series" everyone would have said "Thunder win easy".

(06-22-2012 01:29 PM)Tiger2Ways Wrote:  He's a jerk in real life...

That's absolute crap. Other than working for the Grizzlies for a few years in college, I have over 10,000 NBA and MLB autographs. I've met many people from Micheal Jordan to Hank Aaron. Kevin Durant would easily be in the Top 5 of nicest guys in sports, that includes off the court. I've seen him routinely take pictures and come over to fans who aren't even yelling at him to come over. Meanwhile his own teammates Westbrook and Harden, are two of the biggest aholes out there.

Durant is probably my favorite player right now. He is so nice and humble and easy to root for. I think its because he kinda blossomed late and he wasnt a pampered AAU Star like most of these guys. But imagine how good he is gonna be at like 28. Hopefully he stays healthy and we can enjoy watching his career

(06-22-2012 01:33 PM)k2tigers Wrote:  

(06-22-2012 12:39 PM)UMTiger02 Wrote:  I worked in Media Relations for the Grizzlies from 2006-2010. Kevin Durant was by far the nicest and most humble player that I've ever met . This includes both Grizzlies, and Other Visiting Teams.

Who were among the nastiest or least personable?

As far as when I worked there, the Top 10 biggest a holes (i base this on how they treat media/fans, personal interaction)

The Memphis guys both Grizzlies and Ex Tigers (DRose, Tyreke, CDR, Dorsey, Carney etc) are always generally cool. Of all the Grizz, JWill and believe it or not Shane Battier is kind of a di**. I never knew what to expect but a lot of guys seem a lot nicer on interviews than they really are.....ala Lebron James.

For autographing purposes, Derrick Rose has gotten a lot tougher in recent years, mainly because there's always 500 people trying to get him, he's also to me a tad shy. Most of your teams in the south, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, Charlotte are pretty cool. The more difficult teams include the Lakers, Boston, Miami and San Antonio.

Toughest to sign/Biggest Aholes
1. Lebron
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Rasheed Wallace - once told me, "I don't sign for your type". I'm white.
4. Kobe
5. Ray Allen
6. Russell Westbrook
7. James Harden
8. Dwayne Wade
9. Andrew Bynum
10. Kris Humpheries


Nicest
1A - Kevin Durant
1B - Dwight Howard
2 - Amare Stoudamire
3- Dirk Nowitzki
4. Kevin Love
5. Pau Gasol
6. Steve Nash
7. Carmelo Anthony
8. Jason Kidd
9. Deron Williams
10. Joakim Noah

thanks - very interesting

I agree with Lebron on that list. I openly admit I don't like him and didn't cheer for him to win it all this or last season. Reason is that I have a friend who works for the Grizz. Back when LBJ was with the Cavs my buddy had a run in with him. My friend was setting out the chairs and stuff on the sideline. A ball came over his way and Lebron was running for it and ran in to my buddy. Lebron dog cussed my buddy and then went about his shooting. My friend was just doing his job....haven't liked Lebron since.

Doubtful.

Friends of mine would run into Battier at the Seesel's on Union regularly. Said he was friendly and always paused to chat, not just to them but to others (one of them isn't the kind to talk to anyone when grocery shopping).