How do we feel about Kevin Durant's Jersey Comments?

[Kernewek]

Not sure how many people have seen this, but it's kind of an interesting snippet - loathe as I am to link to The Ringer:
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/3/31/23003635/kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving

“Every one of these places I played is my home,” he says. “I can imagine me when I’m done, and I don’t think any one of these franchises would be like, ‘No, K, what you did here is not a part of our history.’ I’m going to be a Hall of Famer when I’m done, one of the greatest to ever play. If you don’t want me to be a part of your program when I’m done playing, then that’s personal.

“OKC has to retire my jersey,” he continues. “It wouldn’t even be good for the game of basketball if they didn’t. The same with Golden State. I’m still doing what I’m doing here in Brooklyn, but if I continue on what I’m doing four or five years, then I’ll feel the same way about this program. I better have a home. Because I feel like I am basketball. I breathe it. This is my DNA. I put in the time and respect and love for each one of these programs on and off the floor to get that type of recognition. If I don’t do it, then it’s personal.”

So what do we think?

[JBcat]

Not sure how many people have seen this, but it's kind of an interesting snippet - loathe as I am to link to The Ringer:
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/3/31/23003635/kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving

“Every one of these places I played is my home,” he says. “I can imagine me when I’m done, and I don’t think any one of these franchises would be like, ‘No, K, what you did here is not a part of our history.’ I’m going to be a Hall of Famer when I’m done, one of the greatest to ever play. If you don’t want me to be a part of your program when I’m done playing, then that’s personal.

“OKC has to retire my jersey,” he continues. “It wouldn’t even be good for the game of basketball if they didn’t. The same with Golden State. I’m still doing what I’m doing here in Brooklyn, but if I continue on what I’m doing four or five years, then I’ll feel the same way about this program. I better have a home. Because I feel like I am basketball. I breathe it. This is my DNA. I put in the time and respect and love for each one of these programs on and off the floor to get that type of recognition. If I don’t do it, then it’s personal.”

So what do we think?

Gloat much KD? We all know how great you are. The difference between KD and KG is KG never said anything like this, nor could you picture him saying anything like this.

[Vermont Green]

First, I think Durant does lack some emotional intelligence but I don't think he is a bad guy.

On the Jersey retirement question, it is interesting that after jumping from team to team to always put himself in the best possible position (as he has every right to do) he seems to be having some doubt about not having a home and how that may impact his legacy (which is obviously very important to him).

Unfortunately, jumping around and playing on multiple teams is a part of your legacy.  It dilutes your legacy for any one team.  Just like Durant has every right to jump from team to team, each team has a right to decide how they want to honor him as part of their legacy or history.  It is probably in the best interest of a team like OKC to link themselves to a sure fire hall of famer.  GSW and BKN maybe not so much.

[Jiri Welsch]

Off-putting to put it mildly.

[Silas]

I've always respected his skills and watched him grow in the DC area and on to Texas.  No question the man is an amazing bball player.  However, he appears to be a pompous ass.  Like we don't know he is a great player.  Sad...

[Roy H.]

Three seasons in Golden State?  I don't think that gets your number retired.

OKC has Nick Collison retired, so Durant is probably coming some day.

As a side note, has OKC decided to ignore its time in Seattle in terms of retiring new numbers?  Kemp and Payton don't have their numbers retired; is that because they're deferring to a new expansion team version of the Sonics doing so in the future?

[seancally]

Three seasons in Golden State?  I don't think that gets your number retired.

OKC has Nick Collison retired, so Durant is probably coming some day.

As a side note, has OKC decided to ignore its time in Seattle in terms of retiring new numbers?  Kemp and Payton don't have their numbers retired; is that because they're deferring to a new expansion team version of the Sonics doing so in the future?

Is KD’s Golden State tenure so much different than KG’s Celtics tenure?

… I’m mostly just making a point. I know what KG did for the culture. Still, by the numbers — back to back titles, Finals MVP… that’s retirement material in my book.

[Donoghus]

Well, he's not lacking of self confidence.

[Kernewek]

As a side note, has OKC decided to ignore its time in Seattle in terms of retiring new numbers?  Kemp and Payton don't have their numbers retired; is that because they're deferring to a new expansion team version of the Sonics doing so in the future?

This was part of the arrangement to do with the split:

The city of Seattle and Clay Bennett's ownership group have divvied up the artifacts of the NBA's past in the Pacific Northwest, with the details outlined in a settlement obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. The agreement calls for Bennett's Professional Basketball Club to leave any banners, trophies and retired jerseys. Those will be placed in a curatorship at Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, although the new Oklahoma City franchise would be allowed to borrow them to put on display periodically and make copies.

https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3545175

[Roy H.]

Three seasons in Golden State?  I don't think that gets your number retired.

OKC has Nick Collison retired, so Durant is probably coming some day.

As a side note, has OKC decided to ignore its time in Seattle in terms of retiring new numbers?  Kemp and Payton don't have their numbers retired; is that because they're deferring to a new expansion team version of the Sonics doing so in the future?

Is KD’s Golden State tenure so much different than KG’s Celtics tenure?

… I’m mostly just making a point. I know what KG did for the culture. Still, by the numbers — back to back titles, Finals MVP… that’s retirement material in my book.

Durant joined a 73 win team that had already won a championship.  He bailed on them after three seasons. 

Yes, that's different in kind from KG.  Garnett joined a 24 win team, took them to a title, and played there for six seasons.  He didn't leave the team in free agency, but instead waived his no-trade clause so that the team could rebuild.  He embraced being a Celtic; Durant was a ring-chasing mercenary.

[Kernewek]

Yeah I think Durant joining a juggernaut to avoid ending up as his generation's Charles Barkley is a different kettle of fish.

If it were up to me, really, I wouldn't retire his number in OKC either.

[Donoghus]

As a side note, has OKC decided to ignore its time in Seattle in terms of retiring new numbers?  Kemp and Payton don't have their numbers retired; is that because they're deferring to a new expansion team version of the Sonics doing so in the future?

This was part of the arrangement to do with the split:

The city of Seattle and Clay Bennett's ownership group have divvied up the artifacts of the NBA's past in the Pacific Northwest, with the details outlined in a settlement obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. The agreement calls for Bennett's Professional Basketball Club to leave any banners, trophies and retired jerseys. Those will be placed in a curatorship at Seattle's Museum of History and Industry, although the new Oklahoma City franchise would be allowed to borrow them to put on display periodically and make copies.

https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3545175

So its like a Browns arrangement after they bolted to Baltimore?  Makes sense.

[Goldstar88]

How about Minnesota not retiring KG’s number after he gave them 12 years, putting up obscene numbers.

I do think that OKC should retire KD’s number. Warriors shouldn’t, though.

[Roy H.]

How about Minnesota not retiring KG’s number after he gave them 12 years, putting up obscene numbers.

There's some sort of feud between KG and Glen Taylor.  New ownership takes over completely next season, I believe, so it should hopefully happen eventually.

[greg683x]

How about Minnesota not retiring KG’s number after he gave them 12 years, putting up obscene numbers.

I do think that OKC should retire KD’s number. Warriors shouldn’t, though.

I could be wrong but Kevins numbering not being retired in Minnesota stems more from the bad blood between him and Glen Taylor the majority owner.  It’s pretty awful for that to come between an acknowledgment of Kevins many wonderful years there and depriving the fans of a celebratory moment that they frankly don’t get very much there.