OkLAHOMA CITY, Aug 4, 2011—The NBA lockout is upon us, and the players are obviously bored. Some NBA superstars have been MIA, while others just can’t seem to get enough of the limelight, which is what makes Kevin Durant’s world tour so entertaining.
Durant is the star of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The two time scoring champion seems to be taking his game everywhere since this lockout began.
It started in the Philippines where he and teammate James Harden wowed the crowd with ally oops and highlights galore.
Following Durant on Facebook gives you an inside glance at all of the things that he has been doing. He often posts videos or comments about his upcoming whereabouts.
“On the way to the Game in Manila blasting this Wale-bait thru the skullcandy phones…what up Philippines?”
I don’t know exactly what that last post means but it’s cool that Durant wants to know how the entire country of the Philippines is doing as a collective. While in the Philippines, Facebook tells us that Durant met none other than boxing phenom Manny Pacquiao and posts a picture of the two. (click full screen)
Next stop on the tour for Durant? The (maybe) more exotic than the Philippines WNBA?
“In Tulsa at the Shock game supporting the homie Liz Cambage. Who else is here?”
My guess is nobody.
Now the legend is starting to grow. You have probably seen the highlights of Durant destroying a rec game at the legendary Rucker Park. If you haven’t check it out:
Durant scored 66! Now it’s against mostly amateur players, but the point is that he was playing ball and the crowd loved it. Other players have gone to Rucker and played before, most notably Kobe, but not with this much fanfare.
“No lie, jus had one of the best times of my life at Rucker park..wow! I love NY…Harlem waddup!” (click full screen)
The best part is how emotional the fans are. Ron Artest is from New York, so I don’t know if he’s played at the Rucker before, but if fans ran on the court like that when he was playing, I just picture him spraying them with face punches.
Durant almost matched his performance a few days later at the Pro City League in New York a few nights later wowing the crowd again with 41 points. (click full screen)
“Had fun at Pro City in NYC last night. Trying to see what NY basketball is all about babe.”
Not sure who babe is, but I’m sure they are impressed. What’s great too is that these videos weren’t taken by professionals or camera crews, just fans.
But maybe a post that came later on is the most telling about this lockout and what Durant is doing.
“I just like to play basketball…can’t hate on that!”
I cannot hate on that and that is why Durant is doing the best thing a player can do: play.
If the owners don’t want to pay you then just go play. Play in exhibition games, rec leagues, overseas, whatever, just play. Don’t hide, don’t tweet about the media and fans picking on you, just play.
Can’t hate on that.
Jason Black is a regular sports contributor on America’s Morning News and America’s Radio News. Coincidently, or not, he also does movie reviews for KJ103 and102.1 Kissin’ Country. You can also follow Jason on Twitter @jasonblack23.
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