James Harden surpassed Larry Bird on the all-time points list Saturday night. Kevin Durant mentioned the Celtic legend in his most recent episode of the ETCs, a podcast he presents on The Boardroom Podcast Network. He described some of the effects of older generations on the game and how it created the culture.
Durant understands the rivalry between players when it’s time to play. Everyone desperately wants to win. Although many of these moments are not shown during the regular season, the tension always gets greater in the playoffs as games matter more. In the past, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird challenged each other and things were not always friendly. When Michael Jordan comes into the picture, you just have to forget the idea of a friendship if you were to act against him in court.
“The Magics, the Birds, the Jordans, they created that fraternity in the league,” Durant said.
Younger generations grew up watching these bitter rivals and leaving it all out in court, even if it meant not being friendly all the time. Basketball fans have finally seen how these basketball legends have admired each other’s matches over time. Instead of showing hatred for each other, they showed appreciation for each other and that brotherhood inspired their younger generations.
However, it changed Durant’s mentality to want to belong in the league as a youngster.
‘I felt like I had beef with Kobe Bryant, but he did not even know I had this beef. As you get older, you look at these guys as just sharpening and making you better.
…. When Source scores 50 points or James Harden has 60 points, I look … how can I do it better than just better … how can I maintain the level I was at – it’s a healthy competition. ”
