👀 LEGACY TALK 👀 Stephen A. & Shannon Sharpe DISSECT Kevin Durant’s legacy | First Take

NBA on ESPN
29 Apr 202411:21

Summary

TLDRThe video transcript discusses the impact of the Phoenix Suns' sweep in the NBA Playoffs on Kevin Durant's legacy. It highlights Durant's undeniable talent and achievements, including being a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP. However, the conversation delves into the perception issues surrounding Durant's decisions to join different teams, such as leaving Oklahoma City after a playoff loss to Golden State Warriors, then joining the Warriors themselves, and later moving to Brooklyn and Phoenix. The discussion suggests that despite Durant's skill, his seeming dissatisfaction and the teams' subsequent struggles have led to a tarnished legacy. The speakers also touch upon the importance of happiness and contentment in a player's career and how it can influence their leadership and team dynamics. They conclude by contemplating Durant's potential future moves and the perpetual challenge he faces in finding a team situation where he can thrive and be truly satisfied.

Takeaways

  • 🏀 The speaker acknowledges the need for improvement across the team, including himself, Kevin, Brad, and the coach, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to be prepared and perform better.
  • 🤔 The team's inconsistency in play and style is identified as a key issue, with a commitment to work on individual areas of improvement during the off-season.
  • 📉 The emotional impact of being swept in the NBA Playoffs is expressed, with the speaker feeling low and empathizing with the fans' disappointment.
  • 💔 The discussion suggests that the sweep could be damaging to Kevin Durant's legacy, especially when compared to other NBA greats.
  • 🤷‍♂️ Concerns are raised about Durant's decision-making and his perceived lack of happiness, which may affect his leadership and the team's performance.
  • 🚀 Despite the setbacks, the speaker argues that Durant's legacy should also consider his achievements, such as being a two-time champion and NBA Finals MVP.
  • 🤝 The importance of finding happiness and contentment within oneself is highlighted, rather than seeking it through external circumstances or team changes.
  • 🤔 The speaker ponders Durant's next move, given his history of leaving teams and the perception that he may be running from challenges.
  • 🏆 A reminder that despite the sweep, great players like Magic Johnson have faced similar setbacks and come back to win more titles.
  • 👥 The script touches on the importance of team dynamics and how the fit between players and coaches can influence success on the court.
  • 💭 There is a final acknowledgment of the sadness surrounding the discussion of Durant's situation, given his extraordinary talent and the shadow cast by his seemingly unhappiness.

Q & A

  • What is the general sentiment expressed by the speaker about the team's performance?

    -The speaker expresses disappointment and a feeling of hurt, acknowledging that improvements are necessary across the board for the team, including the leaders.

  • What does the speaker suggest the team needs to do moving forward?

    -The speaker suggests that the team needs to reflect on their season, be more consistent in their play, and work individually on their weaknesses during the off-season.

  • How does the speaker feel about the NBA Playoffs sweep?

    -The speaker feels pretty low and disappointed, empathizing with the fans and acknowledging the professional low of being swept in the playoffs.

  • What is the impact of the sweep on Kevin Durant's legacy according to the speaker?

    -The speaker believes the sweep is devastating to Durant's legacy, as it adds to the narrative that Durant is not as celebrated as other greats due to his decisions.

  • What is the speaker's view on Durant's decision to join different teams?

    -The speaker suggests that Durant's decisions to join different teams, such as leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State and later Brooklyn and Phoenix, have left a blemish on his legacy and created a perception issue.

  • Why does the speaker think Durant's happiness is important for his leadership?

    -The speaker believes that Durant's perpetual seeming unhappiness might impede his ability to lead effectively, as true leadership requires a commitment that may not be fully extended if one's happiness is not tied to the team's success.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on Durant's legacy if he does not win another title?

    -The speaker implies that if Durant does not win another title, people will remember the sweep and his decisions to move between teams, rather than focusing on his basketball achievements.

  • How does the speaker compare Durant's situation to other great players who have been swept?

    -The speaker notes that other greats like Magic Johnson have also been swept but managed to come back and win more titles, which Durant could potentially do as well.

  • What does the speaker suggest about Durant's search for happiness?

    -The speaker suggests that Durant needs to find a way to create his own happiness, as it is not something that can be found by changing teams or situations.

  • What is the speaker's view on the Phoenix Suns' current situation?

    -The speaker views the Phoenix Suns as a mess that needs to go in a different direction, implying that significant changes, including potentially moving Durant, are necessary to move forward.

  • What is the speaker's perspective on Durant's potential move to another team?

    -The speaker believes that any team would want Durant, but also suggests that if Durant were to leave Phoenix, it might create a perception that he is running from challenges rather than facing them.

Outlines

00:00

🏀 Team Improvement and KD's Legacy

The first paragraph discusses the collective responsibility for the team's performance, emphasizing the need for leaders like Kevin, Brad, and the coach to improve. The speaker reflects on the season's inconsistency and the desire for players to work individually on their weaknesses during the off-season. They acknowledge the disappointment of being swept in the NBA Playoffs and address the fans directly, recognizing shared passion and disappointment. The paragraph also delves into the impact of the sweep on Kevin Durant's legacy, contrasting his basketball achievements with the negative perception stemming from his decisions to join different teams and the outcomes of those choices.

05:00

🤔 KD's Search for Happiness and Leadership

The second paragraph explores the concept of happiness and its role in leadership and team dynamics. It questions Kevin Durant's decisions to move between teams and whether his pursuit of titles and happiness has affected his legacy and the way he is perceived by fans and the basketball community. The discussion also touches on Durant's right as a free agent to choose his path and the potential implications if he were to leave Phoenix. The paragraph suggests that Durant's perceived lack of happiness might hinder his ability to lead effectively and rally his team, which could contribute to the team's struggles.

10:01

😟 The Perpetual Search for Contentment

The third paragraph continues the conversation on Kevin Durant's happiness and its impact on his career. It highlights the perception of Durant's constant search for a place where he feels content, which has led to him being involved with several teams and experiencing a range of outcomes. The discussion points out that the narrative surrounding Durant often focuses on his dissatisfaction, which is a recurring theme among executives and observers. The paragraph concludes with a reflective tone on the sadness of having to discuss such a topic about a player as talented as Durant.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Inconsistency

In the context of the video, inconsistency refers to the lack of uniformity or predictability in the performance of a sports team or individual player. It is a critical issue as it can lead to a team's downfall, as mentioned when discussing the team's performance and the need for improvement across all areas.

💡Leadership

Leadership is a central theme in the video, emphasizing the responsibility of team leaders like Kevin, Brad, and the coach to set a positive example and prepare well for games. Good leadership is crucial for team success, and the video discusses how the leaders' performance impacts the team's dynamics and outcomes.

💡NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs are the postseason elimination tournaments organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to determine the league champion. The script discusses the disappointment of being 'swept' in the playoffs, which means being defeated in all games of a playoff series without a win.

💡Legacy

Legacy, in this video, pertains to the lasting reputation and remembered achievements of a player, such as Kevin Durant. The discussion revolves around how a player's decisions and actions can positively or negatively impact how they are remembered in the history of the sport.

💡Team Dynamics

Team dynamics refer to the way team members interact and work together towards a common goal. The video script highlights the importance of team chemistry and how it can be affected by individual attitudes and performances, especially of those in leadership roles.

💡Sweep

A sweep in basketball terminology means that one team wins all the games in a playoff series, resulting in the other team's elimination without a win. The video discusses the emotional impact and professional consequences of experiencing a sweep, especially for a star player like Kevin Durant.

💡Decision-making

Decision-making is a key concept in the video as it pertains to the choices players make regarding their teams and careers. The script evaluates Kevin Durant's decisions to join different teams and the implications these choices have had on his legacy and public perception.

💡Happiness

Happiness is discussed in the context of personal fulfillment and contentment. It is suggested that a player's happiness or lack thereof can influence their performance and leadership. The video implies that finding happiness is a personal endeavor that can affect a player's commitment to their team.

💡Performance

Performance is a recurrent theme, focusing on how individual and team performance levels can fluctuate and the need for consistency to achieve success. The video reflects on the team's and individual players' performance, particularly in high-stakes situations like the playoffs.

💡Public Perception

Public perception is the way the general public views a particular individual or situation. In the video, it is discussed how Kevin Durant's actions and the outcomes of his team's performance influence how he is perceived by fans and the media, which in turn can affect his legacy.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism is highlighted as an essential quality for athletes, implying a commitment to excellence, preparation, and conduct. The video script touches on the importance of professional behavior, especially when facing adversity or defeat.

Highlights

The need for improvement across the team, including players and coaches, is emphasized.

Leadership's responsibility in setting an example and being prepared.

The acknowledgment of inconsistency in play and style throughout the season.

Individual players are encouraged to work on their personal skills during the off-season.

The emotional impact of being swept in the NBA Playoffs on the team's morale.

A direct address to fans, sharing their disappointment and acknowledging the better performance of the opposing team.

The damaging perception of Kevin Durant's legacy due to the team's sweep.

Criticism of Durant's decisions to join different teams and the subsequent outcomes.

The comparison of Durant's situation to other great players who have also faced sweeps.

Speculation about Durant's happiness and its effect on his leadership and team performance.

Concerns about Durant's seeming dissatisfaction and its potential impact on his legacy.

Discussion on Durant's right to choose his team as a free agent and the implications of those choices.

The potential trade of Durant to acquire assets for the Phoenix Suns to move forward.

Reflection on the importance of happiness and fulfillment in a player's career and performance.

The importance of a player's attitude towards the team and its influence on leadership.

The perception that Durant may be running from challenges if he leaves Phoenix.

The sadness and irony of discussing Durant's happiness and legacy despite his phenomenal talent.

Executives' consistent comments on Durant's apparent lack of happiness.

Transcripts

00:01

hopefully everybody's feeling the same

00:02

type of hurt um and you know it has to

00:06

be fixed I have to be better Kevin has

00:09

to be better Brad has to be better Coach

00:11

has to be better um if we're the leaders

00:13

of the team we can't be out there

00:15

unprepared yeah we could be better in

00:17

all

00:18

areas um it's hard to pinpoint just one

00:21

thing right now I mean you reflect back

00:23

on the season I think that uh like I've

00:25

been saying we we just was inconsistent

00:28

with our play and in the style of play

00:30

that we wanted but that's as far as I'll

00:32

go I think we'll guys are dig deep this

00:34

summer work out work on what they need

00:36

to work on individually no worse

00:38

professional feeling in the world than

00:39

getting swept in the NBA Playoffs I've

00:41

never been a part of it um I feel pretty

00:44

low right now I want to speak to our

00:46

fans directly and say I share your

00:49

passion uh I'm as disappointed as y'all

00:51

are but you know we got beat by a better

00:56

team you got beat by a better team okay

01:00

okay Stephen A let's break this down how

01:02

damaging is this sweep to KD's Legacy in

01:05

this Sun's big three Squad I think it's

01:08

devastating I really really do I mean I

01:10

think that when you look at Kevin Durant

01:11

he's one of the greatest players in the

01:13

world and we barely talk about him in a

01:16

positive standpoint we recognize the

01:18

fact that he's a great great player and

01:20

a great scorer and a two-time champion

01:22

and a two-time NBA Finals MVP and we get

01:25

that and a really good dude by the way

01:27

the flip side to it however is that when

01:29

we talk about yic even when we talk

01:31

about LeBron when we talk about Steph

01:33

Curry who Kevin Durant helped to two of

01:37

the titles two of the four titles that

01:39

he has all right we just don't talk

01:41

about Kevin Durant in the same light and

01:44

the bottom line is Shannon it's not

01:45

because of basketball it's because of

01:47

his decisions you know when you are in

01:50

Oklahoma City and you're up 3-1 and you

01:53

lose that lead and you ultimately lose

01:55

that series to the Golden State Warriors

01:57

only to turn around and join them month

02:00

later okay that's a blemish we were told

02:03

that it was about Russell Westbrook but

02:05

then later on we learn it was about Sam

02:07

pressy and how you didn't necessarily

02:10

particularly like getting along with him

02:12

then you're in Golden State and you're

02:14

winning championships and somehow some

02:16

way people were saying you were never

02:17

happy then you decide to depart from the

02:20

great Steph Curry to join Kyrie Irving

02:22

and there's a whole bunch of stuff that

02:24

goes on in Brooklyn that ends up through

02:26

no fault of KDs but it ends up being an

02:29

absolute disaster where you only got out

02:31

of the first round uh one time and so

02:34

you look at it from that standpoint then

02:35

you go to Phoenix and when you go to

02:38

Phoenix okay you've lost your last six

02:40

playoff games you're six to n overall in

02:44

playoff games people are looking at the

02:46

Phoenix Suns and saying y'all wouldn't

02:47

have gotten to the second round last

02:48

year if kawh Leonard hadn't got hurt

02:50

because he had dropped 38 on y'all in

02:52

the game two and the next thing you know

02:54

he couldn't play the rest of the series

02:56

so they looked at it from that

02:57

standpoint okay and so then you hear

03:00

this year he's not happy with how he's

03:02

being used you got a head coach and

03:04

Frank vogle who the Phoenix Sons clearly

03:07

that was not their first choice they

03:08

wanted tyou Shannon it's just that they

03:11

couldn't get tyo because the Clippers

03:12

weren't going to let him get away so

03:14

they ended up settling on Frank vogle

03:18

that hasn't worked out you got Bradley

03:20

beill we know that hasn't worked out he

03:23

came from the Washington Wizards and

03:25

ended up looking like a Washington

03:26

Wizard when it counted most which was in

03:28

the playoffs so that do that that that

03:30

didn't bold well for you we're looking

03:32

at a guy in CP3 that was your floor

03:35

General and your point guard which

03:36

something you clearly needed but y'all

03:38

felt y'all didn't need it so y'all used

03:40

Bradley Beal to replace him DeAndre

03:43

eight was a headache he was a problem

03:45

you used that and you replace him with

03:47

nurkic uh uh Monty Williams wasn't the

03:50

right guy for ishbia who played you know

03:52

paid a whole bunch of money for them and

03:54

it's about to pay about 260 million cuz

03:56

he's touching the second apron of that

03:58

luxury tax threshold so you got all of

04:00

that going on right and you don't have

04:03

Monty Williams you didn't get tou you

04:05

got Franco vogle the Phoenix Suns right

04:07

now are a mess and they just got

04:10

embarrassed and there's no way that you

04:12

can bring this back it ain't circling

04:14

that block you can't do that you got to

04:16

go in a different direction okay which

04:18

means the likelihood is that you're

04:20

going to have to move Kevin Durant in

04:22

order to acquire the assets you need to

04:24

move

04:27

forward all the greats have been swept

04:31

magic got swept numerous times

04:34

Shaq uh Lebron

04:37

Kareem Jordan best of three never a best

04:40

of seven but go ahead here's the thing

04:42

can oh magic magic got swept in the

04:45

final NBA Finals no I said Jordan oh

04:47

okay but he got swept yes so back there

04:49

cuz you know you and I old enough to

04:50

remember they used to play best two out

04:52

of three they play three out of five

04:53

five three five Y no in the first round

04:55

was two out of three second round was

04:57

three out of five you only got the seven

04:58

best of the seven in finals Conference

05:00

Finals and the NBA finals and your guy

05:02

got swept back to back he got swept back

05:04

to back back to back three to Larry Bird

05:06

Boston Larry Bird male Parish Dennis

05:10

Johnson and those boys that that's who

05:12

swept them okay in his first two years

05:15

in the league is it my turn goad I swar

05:17

my bad myad my turn my bad my bad my bad

05:19

my bad my bad I'm sorry if Kevin if

05:21

Kevin Durant were to win right we're

05:24

never going to forget that he got swept

05:26

right but if he doesn't win another

05:29

title

05:31

this is what they're going to remember

05:32

because magic got swept but and he came

05:34

back and he won three more titles people

05:36

don't people don't really remember or

05:38

don't think about it in that aspect you

05:40

say he went to Golden State because he

05:42

wasn't happen OKC and he left the thing

05:45

I tell people about happiness happiness

05:47

is not something that you find happiness

05:50

is something you

05:52

create if Kevin Durant can create a

05:55

self- happiness what is it that he's

05:57

seeking he's he's he's been regarded as

06:00

one of the great players in NBA history

06:02

he'd been regarded as for the longest

06:05

time as the first or second best mo more

06:07

people most people would refer to LeBron

06:10

but there was a time that there was an

06:11

argument could be made that he was the

06:13

best player in the NBA yes I used to

06:15

make him he wanted a title he went and

06:17

got titles but he wasn't happy because

06:21

he was Johnny Gil in New Edition you see

06:25

the difference was Johnny Gil he came

06:27

Tito with a Jackson Five but see Tito

06:29

was the family member Johnny Gil he

06:31

wasn't born in rockberry Boston that's

06:33

fair so that even though he can out sing

06:35

them all Bobby Ronny Ricky and Mike

06:38

Johnny Gil could I sing them all right

06:40

you didn't grow up with us so he was

06:42

never going to be fully embraced like

06:43

those original cast members Klay

06:45

Thompson Draymond Green Steph Curry okay

06:48

that whatever the case may be he wanted

06:50

to leave hey that's my right it is his

06:52

right he was a free agent he fulfilled

06:53

his obligation he went to Brooklyn he

06:56

didn't want to go to the Knicks he said

06:57

he didn't want to go to the Knicks he

06:58

went to Brooklyn

07:00

for whatever reason it didn't work out

07:01

there for whatever reason I don't know

07:03

Stephen maybe you know you can speak to

07:05

that he wanted to go to fe uh uh Phoenix

07:08

they did him a solid when they could

07:09

have traded him anywhere that somewhere

07:11

that gave him more assets they put him

07:13

where he wanted to be he said he wanted

07:14

to be with CP3 and he wanted to be with

07:16

book now where what what what is it now

07:20

what is it now you leave OKC to go to

07:21

Golden State you leave Golden State to

07:23

go to Brooklyn you leave Brooklyn to go

07:24

to Phoenix what what what's the what's

07:26

the next move only thing that could be

07:28

answered listen

07:31

there's no team that wouldn't want Kevin

07:33

Durant for sure as far as I'm concerned

07:35

if I'm the Lakers and I get my hands on

07:37

Kevin Durant to join LeBron in ad I a

07:40

heartbeat oh my Lord oh my Lord

07:43

I I don't I don't even want to think

07:45

about that it be over no question okay I

07:49

got that part okay but the bottom line

07:51

is

07:52

this when you talk about Kevin Durant

07:55

you certainly never talk about his

07:56

character there's nothing nothing imp

07:58

there there's nothing to impune about

08:00

his game either because the brother's

08:01

game is pure you do have a slight

08:05

concern you

08:07

perpetually don't seem happy yes and as

08:11

a result dare I say that might impede

08:14

one ability to lead and as a result you

08:17

end up getting results like this because

08:19

let me tell you something and this is

08:20

just this is just me it's just a thought

08:22

that I had just thinking about the

08:24

subject you brought up Shannon because

08:25

nobody has brought this up cuz we talk

08:27

about there's different ways to lead and

08:29

stuff like that you know you might get

08:30

in somebody's face I might get in

08:31

somebody's face somebody else might not

08:32

do that said we got all of that right

08:35

but you want me to tell you where

08:36

everybody becomes like you describe

08:38

yourself or how I would describe myself

08:40

or how a Jordan would describe want me

08:42

tell you when everybody gets like

08:44

that when somebody is threatening your

08:47

happiness right for sure because it's

08:50

like wait a minute I'm in a good spot

08:52

here you will not mess this up right

08:55

right but if you are perpetually

08:57

someplace where you could take going to

08:59

leave it where you just did to do the

09:01

job where you go I'm I'm I'm I'mma play

09:04

ball I'mma do my thing but then after

09:06

that I'mma bounce right because it

09:08

really don't M I'm just here to do my

09:10

job and I'm I want to go home when

09:12

that's your attitude then you're not

09:14

going to extend yourself but so much to

09:17

Galvanize the troops and make sure you

09:19

get Max production out of everybody else

09:21

because your happiness is not dependent

09:24

on it am I making sense you make perfect

09:26

sense that's what I'm saying that's what

09:27

I'm I just suspected is all I'm trying

09:29

to say but if Kevin dur Durant and I

09:31

think a lot of people are going to agree

09:32

with me okay if Kevin Durant were to

09:34

leave Phoenix people going to say Kevin

09:37

Durant keeps running from the grind

09:39

because everywhere he been with the

09:41

exception of Golden State it was a grind

09:45

okay okay OKC was a grind because he was

09:48

going to have to get over Golden State

09:50

he joined Golden State that was that was

09:53

smooth sailing you winning 6768 games of

09:55

season you go to Brooklyn it starts to

09:58

become

09:59

oh it's another grind cuz here come

10:01

Boston and you got Milwaukee that's a

10:03

grind in Phoenix you got these Young

10:06

Guns you got OKC you got Ant-Man you got

10:09

the Nuggets yeah so it now it looks it's

10:12

going to start to look if he were to

10:14

leave and it might not be but I'm saying

10:16

perception is a person's reality and

10:19

sometimes reality is not always last

10:20

comment Molly Shannon yeah the this is

10:23

what we have to

10:24

acknowledge it is incredibly sad that we

10:28

have to have the kind of discussion yeah

10:31

that we're having about Kevin Durant

10:34

considering how great and how phenomenal

10:36

he this dude is it's a damn shame that

10:40

anybody in any basketball platform has

10:43

to have this conversation but it's a

10:47

byproduct of him continuously finding

10:51

himself in situations where people are

10:53

looking at him and saying he is not

10:56

happy he doesn't see I'm telling you

10:58

right now there's numerous Executives I

11:00

spoken to the one thing they say

11:02

religiously the guy never seems happy

11:05

that's what they say he never seems

11:06

happy got at all

11:12

[Music]

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[Applause]

11:15

[Music]

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[Applause]