Why Can't the N.B.A. Move On from Its Old Stars?

"He was long and willowy, with the grace and finesse of a guard; there was some confusion about what position he should play. Now the league is filled with talented big men who can pass and shoot and defend, who can't be easily stopped or shoehorned. Durant was a protagonist in various narratives that dominated conversations around the league, particularly those concerning team loyalty, individual agency, the way that particular personalities interact, and what motivates players."

"Durant, for one, was often exasperated at how he was portrayed. But he could never quite shake his status as a protagonist, and it's not clear whether he even wanted to. He became M.V.P. while playing for the Thunder before turning a great Golden State Warriors team into a dynasty-and then ending the reign, when he decamped for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets were a disaster, and his next team, the Phoenix Suns, failed even more dramatically."

"The way he played was never to blame: he still moves like water, with the same capacity for stillness or torrential force. Off the court, he dabbled in media projects with his entertainment company, Boardroom, and devoted himself to other interests, including, famously, responding to trolls on the internet. He likes the "dopamine hit" of clapping back, he has explained. "That's like my coffee in the morning.""

Kevin Durant was drafted second overall by the Seattle SuperSonics before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder. His playing style — long, willowy, and guard-like — helped shift the league toward versatile big men who can pass, shoot, and defend. Durant became a central figure in debates about team loyalty, individual agency, personality dynamics, and player motivation. He won MVP with the Thunder, helped Golden State dominate, then left for Brooklyn where the Nets faltered; his stint with Phoenix failed more dramatically. His on-court movement remained fluid and unstoppable. Off the court, he pursued media projects through Boardroom and often engaged with internet trolls for the "dopamine hit."

Read at The New Yorker