Kobe’s recommendation to Durant — ‘Actually simply do not be a crybaby’ – ESPN

byCrypto Bargain -December 08, 2022

0

12:02 AM ET

NEW YORK — As Kevin Durant appears again on his time round Corridor of Famer Kobe Bryant, the 34-year-old comes again to 1 memorable piece of recommendation that he discovered from the all-time nice.

“Actually simply do not be a crybaby,” Durant stated Wednesday after Brooklyn’s 122-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets. “I used to be at that age at 23 the place I believed the world revolved round me. And I do know we have talked quite a bit about Kobe, he was actual humble in how he approached the sport, how he approached his teammates, simply life typically. So I discovered simply from watching his actions.

“He was an instance, he did not say a lot however he was an instance simply by how he moved and I attempt to emulate, like I stated, him and Mike are two dudes I emulate on and off the courtroom what they do and I do know it’ll make me higher.”

Durant’s recollections of Bryant, who tragically died in a January 2020 helicopter crash, got here due to a comparability made between the 2 basketball legends by Hornets coach Steve Clifford. The veteran NBA coach served as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the 2012-13 season and obtained to know Durant whereas serving as a training guide for the Nets final season.

“He is quite a bit like Kobe to me,” Clifford stated about Durant earlier than Wednesday’s sport. “Their make-up is completely different in some ways, however on the courtroom, they’re very comparable by way of the best way they work, they usually’re each college students of the sport. After I consider Kobe I consider ardour, once I consider Kevin, I consider ardour. So two elite gamers who care deeply in regards to the outcomes greater than they do like particular person numbers.”

Durant appreciated Clifford’s phrases when informed about them postgame.

“It is laborious to fill them sneakers and be a Kobe Bryant,” Durant stated. “However Kob is anyone I have been round and nonetheless research to this present day. And principally I simply attempt to copy all the things he does, similar with Michael Jordan. These two guys simply set the tone for all the things you need to be as a basketball participant. So I simply merely attempt to copy them as a lot as I can.”

Kyrie Irving, who developed a detailed relationship with Bryant previous to his demise, additionally sees the similarities.

“I believe if you happen to take a look at folks that need greatness, [they] will sacrifice time with their households, their buddies, and do all the things doable as a way to give all the things they must what they like to do, to their craft,” Irving stated. “They’ve similarities. And I do not assume it is simply Kob and KD, I simply assume whenever you see greatness and also you marvel how individuals proceed to do it 12 months after 12 months, it’s important to take a look at the hours which can be put in, the best way that they put together, and the way critical they take what they do.

“And so they’re very aggressive, Kobe and KD. Clearly with Kob transitioning in the previous few years, he would undoubtedly be giving us some gems to proceed on, and you’ll inform that Ok obtained a number of recommendation from him, and watched him quite a bit.”