Kevin Durant continues to prosper at the age of 35, averaging 28.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field, 44.3 percent from three, and 87.1 percent from the line.
The game’s rising stars aren’t making it easy for him to put up those numbers, and they’re not in awe of his previous successes, which he admires about the younger generation.
“Those older guys did not want to simply say, ‘Here, young’un, you the next one up.'” Durant told Michael Lee of the Washington Post, “You had to try to take that from them.” “I’m not going out there and relying on my name and previous accomplishments to gain respect. I admire that about the younger players. They don’t care about what you’ve done in the past. It is about today. So that keeps me on track.
As for the young guns hoping to take over the league, LeBron James—another older superstar who is still defying Father Time at the age of 39—had some advise.
“Learn the history of the game,” he advised. “Respect the ones who came before you, even if they mistreat you. It’s okay. It’s just OK. Know who paved the road. Pour your heart and soul into the game if you want to be a legend in this league.
“The cars and the jewelry and all the other dumb s that don’t matter means absolutely nothing,” he went on to say. “I’m worried about the game. Worry about your family, then worry about the game even more. Be selfish, too. It’s good to be selfish because being great requires a certain level of selfishness. Some people must occasionally fall by the wayside.”