Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant has known to be a sensitive guy. He has had a burner account in the past on Twitter, and the narrative surrounding him is one of the desire for respect equal of his ability and accomplishments.
But that always seems to escape the former NBA Finals MVP, and so rumor has it Durant could depart the Warriors this summer for another clear starring role on his own team.
Still, Durant says that he tries not to compare himself to the greats of NBA history. Instead, Durant wants to compare his performance to that of his teammates as a way to make himself better.
I’m not sure I necessarily believe Durant actually does this, but it’s probably a healthier way to look at his day-to-day experience.
Via The Athletic:
“Comparison is a need for joy” sounds like a quote directly from a therapy session, and if that’s the case, good for Durant.
On a human level you can feel empathy for Durant struggling with his place in history and not feeling validated despite his obvious greatness. Hopefully Durant can use this mindset to help him the playoffs this season and as he moves forward with whatever decision he makes for his career.