RsxPiimp
03-13-2014, 06:31 PM
Kevin Durant really, really (really) respects Kobe Bryant.
Speaking with the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar didn't duck questions of Bryant's influence and talent, readily putting him in the company of Michael Jordan.
"He’s the greatest of all time. His skill is second to none. Him and MJ are neck and neck as far as skill," Durant said. "Kobe is the top two best ever in just having skill, footwork, shooting the 3, shooting the pull-up, posting up, dunking on guys and ball handling. Kobe and Jordan are 1 and 1A."
While Bryant will certainly be remembered as one of the all-time greats, Durant isn't calling him the absolute best ever. Skill is different from resume, just as athleticism isn't the same thing as talent. Just because Durant is saying Bryant has the skills necessary to be pitted alongside Jordan, doesn't mean he's suggesting Bryant is better than Jordan.
Durant goes on to admit he called Bryant late one night for advice while mulling how to model his game. He isn't the first active superstar to wax respect and admiration for the Black Mamba, and he won't be the last. He wanted to sleep, but his mind raced. Durant wondered the different ways he could carve up defenses with his prolific scoring. Durant also worried about further elevating his teammates.
Durant then texted a friend, who both would have answers and be up at an ungodly hour.
Kobe Bryant.
“I was picking his brain a little bit. He’s one of those guys who’s a night owl so he picked the phone up,” Durant said of the Lakers’ star. “That’s something I’ll always remember. When we play each other, it’s better now that we have that relationship because there’s always bragging rights.”
:hat
Speaking with the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar didn't duck questions of Bryant's influence and talent, readily putting him in the company of Michael Jordan.
"He’s the greatest of all time. His skill is second to none. Him and MJ are neck and neck as far as skill," Durant said. "Kobe is the top two best ever in just having skill, footwork, shooting the 3, shooting the pull-up, posting up, dunking on guys and ball handling. Kobe and Jordan are 1 and 1A."
While Bryant will certainly be remembered as one of the all-time greats, Durant isn't calling him the absolute best ever. Skill is different from resume, just as athleticism isn't the same thing as talent. Just because Durant is saying Bryant has the skills necessary to be pitted alongside Jordan, doesn't mean he's suggesting Bryant is better than Jordan.
Durant goes on to admit he called Bryant late one night for advice while mulling how to model his game. He isn't the first active superstar to wax respect and admiration for the Black Mamba, and he won't be the last. He wanted to sleep, but his mind raced. Durant wondered the different ways he could carve up defenses with his prolific scoring. Durant also worried about further elevating his teammates.
Durant then texted a friend, who both would have answers and be up at an ungodly hour.
Kobe Bryant.
“I was picking his brain a little bit. He’s one of those guys who’s a night owl so he picked the phone up,” Durant said of the Lakers’ star. “That’s something I’ll always remember. When we play each other, it’s better now that we have that relationship because there’s always bragging rights.”
:hat