TMZ Puts Kevin Durant In An Awkward Spot
A video is making the rounds of Kevin Durant apparently “dissing” Oklahoma City.
It’s no surprise that the footage is captured by TMZ. When asked what there is to do in Oklahoma for fun Durant responded, “nothing” and kept walking. TMZ then made sort of a big deal about it on its television show.
A couple of things I’d like to say.
It’s time for folks in Oklahoma to lose the inferiority complex. Some people already are making this into a big deal. It’s not. This is a great state with great people. Durant has said that countless times. But it shouldn’t matter how one person or even the rest of the country views us. Yet, it seems so many that live here need constant validation for every little thing, and that segment of the population rushes to anger at the slightest of slights. I don’t get it.
I understand that Durant is different. You support him. You pay good money to go to his games. You throw down some of your disposable income on buying his jersey. You lose your voice screaming for him and his teammates on game nights. You pony up to send your kids to his camp. It’s inexcusable for Durant to turn around and bite the hand that feeds him, to insult the same place that’s helped give him his cushy life.
But is that really what he did?
Hardly.
Durant made an attempt to explain his actions in messages on both his Twitter account as well as his Facebook page. His reason for saying “nothing?” He didn’t want to talk to TMZ. Durant had the right idea in mind. He should have said nothing. But he’s too nice of a guy to blow off people and say nothing. So he said something. And that something, which was the answer, “nothing,” created a small controversy, which is exactly what TMZ covets.
But, really, there is no controversy.
Durant loves it here. He might have been sharing his honest feelings. Maybe he truly feels there isn’t much to do here. If that’s the case, so what? He’s entitled to have an opinion. Sorry to be the one to break it to you. But for a single, 22-year-old African American multi-millionaire with no children, Oklahoma City is not the hot spot. Regardless, how many times has Durant praised OKC? How many times has he put this city on his shoulders and honorably carried it with him to All-Star games and Spain and Greece and China and Turkey? How many times has Durant stood up for Oklahoma City when national media members have tried their best to bait him into disparaging this place or admitting he’d rather play elsewhere?
Durant shouldn’t have to constantly profess his love to this place solely because a small group of people need to hear it once a week. His actions have spoken loudest of all. He signed a five-year contract extension last summer without an opt out clause. It’ll keep him here through the 2015-16 season. He recently closed on a mini mansion in Gaillardia, a pricey pad that again proves he plans on planting roots here.
What more does Durant need to do to prove he wants to be here?
Hopefully he doesn’t have to remind us of it every time someone around here needs reassurance.
-DM-
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Comments
Thank you, Darnell. This is the most ridiculous thing ever, and no reason for anyone to get worked up about.
Don’t forget, literally a couple of days before this he said something on his twitter about how being in LA makes him miss OKC because it fits his laid back style better. That sounds less newsworthy to TMZ, who think the world revolves around LA, I’m sure.
Well, I ain’t never done it, but I hears that plenty of folks go noodlin’ this time of year. Kevin might want to try that out on a hot August day.
But, shoot, there is plenty to do around here. When I was younger and had the right company, I always enjoyed going out to the lake and watching the submarine races.
Maybe KD is driving up to Tulsa:
http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/oklahoma-city-thunder-wander-town-aimlessly-lookin,20405/
Perfectly said Darnell. People in OKC need to understand that players aren’t going to come here for the night life – and that’s OK. Durant is doing exactly what I would expect him to – he is playing for the team and organization he loves, and in the off season he is traveling to other parts of the country and the world. Same thing I would be doing if I had the ability to do so.
Loving this town doesn’t mean you have to lie and say that it’s a party spot for NBA players.
One sure way to make somebody feel underappreciated is to pick on stupid stuff like this. I suspect that anybody who posts on this, saying that he has really dissed OKC is really from Seattle. Over and over, KD has expressed how much he enjoys OKC, both the fans and the city. The feeling is mutual, too, without question. Unless something unforeseeable happens, by the time KD finishes his time in OKC, he will have become one of the biggest legends in Oklahoma sports history, and will probably be one of the most beloved sports figures in Oklahoma ever.
Nicely put. But I have to say I’ve lived here for 45 years and have say Oklahoma is not as lively as say LA or NY. I love living here I have raised 2 beautiful daughters here and there is no other place I would have rather been to do just that. He’s 22 and single sometimes there is not a whole lot to do in OKC, my 23 year old daughter will tell you that.
Poor ol texass boy – all them texas tens to spend and nothing to do in lil ol OKC. Perfect example of too much money. Perhaps if he really had to work it would take less to entertain him.
Well I’m an extreme KD/OKC Thunder fan and at 40 something and a brother living in OKC having lived my younger years in Dallas, Houston, Detroit, and DC. Darnell you don’t have to be single African American multi-millionaire to know that it’s still not much for a brother here. Mind you this is excluding the political atmosphere which is another article and news department never tapped.
I love my home state and OKC, so why did I return? Its home, you adjust and move on. “LET’S GO THUNDER” LOVE YA KD, can’t wait for the season to start again, “IT’S ONE THING TO DO”
Hang on KD, OU and OSU football is warming up! You could always catch a ride on the Downtown cement lined ditch while you wait.
Since KD is telling it like it is, let me tell it like it is: He’s a gay, mama’s boy who chokes in the playoffs!
You know it is really not about an inferiority complex it is about the reality that OKC and Oklahoma have a small black population with no meaninful entertainment options for black players from areas with large black populations and a plethora of entertainment options. OKC is boring in comparison to most cities with large black populations. Face the facts
Wow Mike! Who popped your balloon? Why don’t you try playing 98 basketball games in 5 months while travelling back and forth across the country sleeping short nights and rigorous practice every day. That might take a little out of you. Just telling it like it is!
OKC may not be a destination resort, but it is destination home. Easy living, manageable traffic, affordable housing,
wonderful restaurants, a booming renaissance in downtown.
And, if you don’t like the weather – just wait 20 minutes and it will change.
Sad to say another spoiled rich athlete . Seems Eshbach all 4’3” and Rodey say KD has done a lot for OKC . Really – like make millions upon millions to play a game. Sure he is a great talent – but some people are srtuggling to put food on their table.
Hint : If you are so bored you can’t find anything to do in OKC – don’t make it public. Get another backpack – sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh
I have to agree with KD for right now. The Thunder and college football (Ou & OSU) is about all the good sports entertainment in Okc. Since he’s a Longhorn, he probably doesn’t care too much to go to an Ou or Osu game. Plus, downtown is pretty torn up right now and it’s like a maze driving through all the construction. It will help if we can continue to bring in more businesses and get downtown construction completed.
Hey Mike and Gil you could always go root for the Cry-ami heat they would just love to have another band wagon fan like you probably lost a few when they choked in the playoffs yet again!
To all you Kd haters, only dumb people would talk crap about the best thing thats happen to OKC, You know an i know he ment no disrespect toward OKC! You are the ones that have issues with your life, not KD. You are GREAT Kevin, we love you, dont worry about the very few that have a problem with you
[...] a big move.” Otherwise, the room will go dark again and the next move will be a lockout.”Darnell Mayberry on the TMZ question to KD: “It’s time for folks in Oklahoma to lose the inferiority complex. Some people already are [...]
[...] Thunder Blog at the Oklahoman breaks it down. It’s no surprise that the footage is captured by TMZ. When asked what there is to do in Oklahoma [...]
[...] Darnell Mayberry of Thunder Rumblings had this to say about the controversy: It’s time for folks in Oklahoma to lose the inferiority complex. Some people already are making this into a big deal. It’s not. This is a great state with great people. Durant has said that countless times.But it shouldn’t matter how one person or even the rest of the country views us. Yet, it seems so many that live here need constant validation for every little thing, and that segment of the population rushes to anger at the slightest of slights. I don’t get it. [...]
[...] Thunder Blog at the Oklahoman breaks it down. It’s no surprise that the footage is captured by TMZ. When asked what there is to do in Oklahoma [...]
Oh come on, the boy aint never lied. There is nothing to do when compared to the likes of New York, LA, Chicago and most big cities. But to be honest it is the south and lets face it and call it what it is, great place to raise kids but nothing to do for the 20 somethings.
Lots of people want to see KD leave OKC, and I doubt any of them live in OKC. If OKC can’t handle a misunderstanding like this, it shouldn’t be calling itself a major league city. Media noise comes with the territory, so live with it or let the Thunder go.
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Well said , Darnell.