Millennials don't think as individually as players did back in the day.
Lebron is very communal in his thinking. Jordan will hit a teammate, Lebron will work with you.
Think about how these guys grew up, they go to different high schools, not just the one in their neighborhood. They are recruited to play with others. AAU teams are super teams. Some of these guys grew up together and know each other most of their lives.
Then they are recruited to college with the best going one and done.
Durant is drawn to the team concept on and off the court. He wants to experience what many players want is after financial security the experience of beautiful symmetry of ball movement on the court where 5 players are unified. I can respect that desire. Its the kind of basketball I enjoy watching. Durant has everything in place. His endorsement deals are solid and his wealth is substantial. Its the right time for him to move on.
Some of you think in terms of villains or heroes with no middle ground. My blind hate for Jordan for most of my career blinded me to
not enjoy the feats of his greatness as much as I should. Lebron, while no perfect person has earned my respect for what he has been able to do on the court which is still lost on so many of us. Off the court Jordan was very private and rumored to be not so nice person where Lebron has been nothing close to him except a bit obnoxious. Jordan threatened to not play on the dream team if Isiah played. Jordan was about himself. Isiah the player and his detroit team was a fierce rival to the Bulls. Fans wanted to see Isiah play and he deserved his spot on the dream team. I don't like Isiah because of his time with the knicks but that does not preclude me to wipe away his history as a player in his era and appreciate his playing career. Isiah was amazing in his time!!
Jordan did leave the Bulls. Lets not forget that either. He "retired", or quit on his team in his prime. He also had little to do with the bulls in his retirement. His HOF speech pretty much told his story of his personality. This has nothing to do with his on court performance mind you but he is a arse off it.
The subject of Durant being a Bytch is subjective. In a league that the players now have some power there are many that don't like this and think they should not ruin a franchise by leaving. I can't support being critical of a man who wants to move from one place to another an choose where to be employed. That is his right.
My take is todays ball player has a different take than players of the past. Millennials want "experiences", and Durant is seeking his. Joakim Noah is doing the same thing by picking the knicks. He is not at the same level of course, but he wants to be in NY. DWade wants the experience of being wanted in Chicago by the fans and his owner. Its not to "Win". Look at the roster, it makes no sense. He choose that over loyalty and history. The money was not the issue.
Heroe or villain? We are manipulated to pick one or the other in todays world where media paints public figures one or the other.
I'll choose for myself and try to take the middle ground. I won't root for GSW, but I won't paint them as the bad guys either. Really, its going to be who they are playing. I rooted for the Cav's this past year, and I rooted for Lebron to step up and take his place in history. I rooted for the Thunder and their testicles to overcome the juggernaut that was the warriors.
