A lot of attention has been paid to Kevin Durant’s amazing speech about his mom. But what about all the love he showed the men in his life? Ariel Chesler applauds this year’s MVP.
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By any traditional measure of masculinity Kevin Durant is a “Real Man.” He is tall. He is physically and athletically gifted. He is financially successful. He is engaged to Monica Wright, a WNBA player.
On Tuesday, however, he showed the world that his manhood is about much more than his money, his fame, or his physical abilities. In what has been called an MVP acceptance speech for the ages, Durant told us through tears about his struggles through poverty as a child, his love for the game of basketball, and how he doubted he would make it to the NBA, let alone be awarded the MVP trophy.
Durant explained that he “had so much help, so many people believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” And, most inspiring, he told us: “I failed so many times and got back up. I been through the toughest times with my family, but I’m still standing.”
Many have been focusing on Durant’s moving words to his mother, and I do not discount the significance of those words. He told his mother “We weren’t supposed to be here. You made us believe. You kept us off the street. You put clothes on our backs. Food on the table. When you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You’re the real M.V.P.” I agree with Ian Crouch at the New Yorker who called for the NBA to broadcast this speech every Mother’s Day. Our mothers always deserve a shout out.
For me, the true beauty in Durant’s speech was his being “open, vulnerable, emotionally brave, and sincere” and particularly in how he addressed each one of his teammates and coaches. He told each of them how much they meant to him and how they impacted his life as a player and a person, and how much their believing in him mattered. And, he, without hesitation, told them all that he loved them. For example, to Russell Westbrook he said: “I can speak all night about Russell. An emotional guy who will run through a wall for me. I don’t take him for granted. There’s days I just want to tackle you and tell you to snap out of it sometimes, but I know there are days that you want to do the same to me. I love you, man, I love you. A lot of people put unfair criticism on you as a player. I’m the first to have your back through it all. Stay the person you are, everybody loves you here. I love you. … You’re an MVP caliber player, it’s a blessing to play with you.”
Durant, despite his young age, also displayed wisdom when he spoke to his fans, saying “This city, all they want us to be is ourselves . . . You love us how we are. We’re all a work in progress as men, and you still love us.”
I salute you Kevin Durant, on your MVP award, and on your willingness to show us all your humanity as you accepted it.
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Photo: AP/Sue Ogrocki