Kevin Durant won his first NBA MVP earlier this week. His speech was emotional, inspirational and honest.
Durant had his best season to date and was a very deserving winner of the highest individual award the NBA has to offer. He didn’t see it as his individual award though; it was a team effort.
He thanked the fans, every single one of his teammates, his family – especially his Mum – his doubters and all the people who are a part of the Thunder organisation.
You could tell as Durant was tearing up, everything he was saying was coming from the heart. He wasn’t just saying what a media advisor had written for him. These were his own words, his own struggles.
“It’s just a surreal feeling, and I had so much help, so many people believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself. So many people doubted me and motivated me every single day to be who I am. I failed so many times and got back up.”
Durant’s words about his mother were perhaps the most touching of all:
“We weren’t supposed to be here. You made us believe, you kept us off the street, put clothes on our backs, food on the table. When you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry, you sacrificed for us. You’re the real MVP.”
Not once, throughout his entire speech, did Durant blow his own trumpet. He was the furthest thing from arrogant one could imagine.
Durant didn’t just win the MVP this season, he won the scoring title too; averaging a career-high 32 points while shooting 50 per cent from the field.
No one could blame Durant for being slightly arrogant after the season he had, but that just isn’t the way KD operates. He’s a killer on the floor, but a nice guy off it. This is why he is so adored by fans all around the world.
Durant was proud of his achievement, but you see he isn’t satisfied with his season. He wants to win his first NBA Championship.
People who say sportspeople aren’t good role models for kids clearly haven’t heard of name Kevin Durant. Sure, he isn’t perfect, but he knows that and continues to work on not only his game, but himself as a man.
He genuinely cares about the community he lives in. When Oklahoma was hit by a devastating tornado last year, Durant was at the forefront of helping those in need. He donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief. Sure, Durant makes millions of dollars each year, but he didn’t have to do that. He did though, and that’s the kind of man he is.
If you want to inspire young kids, or even adults for that matter, just show them Durant’s speech in its entirety. Warn them that tears are the totally expected and acceptable reaction.
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