Kevin Durant is right about LeBron James and the media fascination. His quote was misunderstood!
In the media, one quote or one soundbite (Television) can set off a media frenzy. Nobody brought that to the light like Kevin Durant did a couple of months ago.
"“So much hype comes from being around LeBron from other people,” Durant said. “He has so many fanboys in the media. Even the beat writers just fawn over him. I’m like, we’re playing basketball here, and it’s not even about basketball at certain points. So I get why anyone wouldn’t want to be in that environment because it’s toxic. Especially when the attention is b******* attention, fluff. It’s not LeBron’s fault at all; it’s just the fact you have so many groupies in the media that love to hang on every word. Just get out of the way and let us play basketball.”"
Let’s break down a few words in this quote right here…hype, BS attention and fluff.
There is a lot that can be said about LeBron James on the court. The media constantly feeds the narrative that LeBron James is the best in the world. There’s only one problem with that scenario.
LeBron James is not winning. Now the Golden State Warriors with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and company are. This is a different era from earlier generations. Not only is the style of play different, but the standards of the best players are as well. It’s not about winning championships anymore. It’s about how much attention can you bring to the NBA.
Now that’s where LeBron James is King! No question.
The only problem is that hype from the media can only last so long. There are already questions about the legitimacy of LeBron being the best player in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers: What LeBron James being voted NBA’s top player means
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James has been voted the NBA's top player for the sixth straight year. What does that designation mean for him?
When Michael Jordan ruled the roost in the 90s, there was no question about if he was the best player in the NBA. Because his team won basically throughout the decade. Outside of the Houston Rockets winning back to back championships when Jordan was chasing curveballs, the Bulls dominated both conferences for most of the era.
When Jordan’s era was over, the Kobe/Shaq era was in effect with three straight championships. Kobe Bryant was a major factor in those first three, but it was the two more championships in three Finals trips that set Bryant at a level that is revered to this day.
Both have retired and have moved on to various business ventures that were successful. But they knew that championships matter as basketball players. There is nothing else, just winning. Championship brings power to the brand organically.
The longer LeBron James goes without titles (Two years with this year slipping away) while his peers are accomplishing more on the court, the legitimacy of his agenda will be questioned.
What does LeBron James want? Does he really want to win titles at this point of his career or does he just want political power within the NBA team he plays for?
Let’s look deeper.
Let’s compare what’s going on with the Lakers with what happened four years ago.