Kevin Durant has no issue with international players taking over the top of the NBA addressing the league’s growing global influence.
Rather than viewing that shift as a problem for American basketball, Durant believes it’s simply the natural progression of the sport.
“Why is that a criticism? Our game is global. Everybody plays basketball all around the world, and it’s still expanding in different countries and different places,” Durant said, according to Boardroom. “So yeah, it’s about time. They’ve been coming into the league since the 80s. You know what I’m saying? It’s just a natural evolution for guys from around the world to assume those positions as the best players in the league. Now, the real argument should be who they are influenced by.
“And most of these dudes are influenced by who? Americans. It’s cool getting MVPs and stuff. But who did you watch? You see Jokic and Porzingis. Shai. All these dudes with Iverson jerseys coming up; braids in their hair, crossing over. They try to play like us, too, and they accomplished it, and executed it in their own little way. All of this stuff is imitation. What can you look at and imitate on the court? That’s how I got better. That’s how everybody gets better.”
The NBA’s last four MVP awards have gone to international stars, with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joining Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid among the league’s recent winners.
Durant also doesn’t mind those players becoming the inspiration for the next generation.
When asked about stars such as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic potentially influencing young players overseas, Durant said that’s exactly how basketball is supposed to grow.
“It doesn’t matter. Because he’s that great, they should get it from him,” Durant said. “I’d love to see Luka from a different country crossing up like we do. You know what I’m saying? He’s bringing it back to where he’s from. That’s a little piece of us there, too.”
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