Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant will get an up-close chance to check out the young Lakers core today. Stephen Dunn — Getty Images
OKLAHOMA CITY — The words flowed out endlessly as Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant gushed about Kobe Bryant’s mentorship. Durant admired Bryant’s work ethic. Durant cherished playing with Bryant on two U.S. Olympic teams. Durant appreciated Bryant’s support after the Thunder’s star broke his right foot last season.
But Durant suddenly became less talkative surrounding his dinner with Bryant on Friday night in Oklahoma City.
“It was cool,” Durant said before the Lakers played the Thunder on Chesapeake Energy Arena.
What did Bryant discuss with Durant?
“We had a good meal,” Durant said, “at a nice restaurant.”
Lakers coach Byron Scott sounded amused about the subject, saying “it was just two great players and good friends having dinner.” But with the Lakers planning to pursue Durant next summer during free agency, it was only natural to wonder if Bryant made any early sales pitch.
For what it’s worth, Durant admired how Bryant will end a 20-year career solely with the Lakers, something Durant may try to do with the Thunder.
“That’s a dream. That’s a type of career you wan to have when you first come into this league,” Durant said. “When you win a title, it makes it easier to ride it out.”
Bryant won five NBA titles and climbed to third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list partly because of his ability to overcome injuries. But he became saddled in the past three years with season-ending ailments to his left Achilles tendon (April 2013), left knee (Dec. 2013) and right shoulder (Jan. 2015). But Durant took value out of Bryant’s experiences and applied to his season-ending injury last season to his right foot.
“The mental aspect of the game, he developed. He’s had it, but it went to another level when you get injured. You can’t do anything but think,” Durant said. “You can’t move. You can’t play ball. You can’t do anything you want to do. So I heard him say that one time in the media and tried to think about that and stay conscious on how I can mentally be better and get my mind in the right spot every single day.”
What did that do?
“It was a gift and a curse,” Durant said. “It was tough to go through. But I learned a lot about myself throughout the process.”
Durant also learned a lot about Bryant, his willingness to give advice about basketball shedding the poor reputation he initially cast as a ballhog and unsupportive teammate.
“That’s one thing I love about him; he doesn’t give a [bleep] about what people think or how hes viewed,” Durant said. “He goes out there and works his tail off every single day. I can learn from that and respect that. I’ve always liked that about him and guys that are similar to him that just don’t care. That’s the approach I try to take.”
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