Listener.

"Fallin' right into your hands, like rain on the desert sand
It's the last thing you had planned then out of the blue clear sky."

When the NBA came out with its slogan a while back, “I love this game,” most people that I know said, “Seriously?” It seemed a lot of people loved to barrage the game, instead of declaring any form of “love” to what was perceived as a gang thugs who were overpaid, egomaniacs, and at best had little to give back to the fans who remained.

This past fall, when the NBA was scheduled to start again, it was delayed due to a lockout and similar thoughts were present; many didn’t miss it, care, or even remember it was not happening. I did, and I was very happy when they agreed to come back.

Sure some of it is selfish, I love the NBA. Plus I suspected if many people were on the sidelines, getting tickets would be a lot easier and less expensive---I was partially right. I went to the game in Milwaukee when the Bulls played the Bucks, and paid a ridiculously low price for an incredible seat. That seat, should it have been in Chicago at the end of the season, would have been 10 times the cost. That’s crazy.

So that’s where we are today…let’s take a step back in time.

About 4 years ago, the city of Seattle was well aware their NBA franchise was going to be leaving town. The team’s fan base was not happy, but when the decision is made, there really is little that can be done. But taking the team to Oklahoma City, are you kidding me? No, and the rest is history.

One of the players to make the journey was a “kid” named Kevin Durant. A top draft pick who spent a year in college, and was not the top pick in the NBA draft---but then again, either was Michael Jordan when he was selected out of North Carolina. The biggest difference with Kevin Durant--- and the rest of the “perceived thugs” in the NBA was---he was really proud to be in the league. He knew his good fortune was in deed his “good fortune.”

Not a lot of people knew of Durant, in comparison with Greg Oden that years top draft pick. Who? Exactly. Here was a phenomena coming out of Ohio State that was the sure thing, the bet of all bets---now 5 years later, he is retired having played less than a full season of games. He is noted as the biggest bust ever in the NBA.

I saw Durant play his rookie year and it was painfully obvious he did not receive the memo about being a jerk, self-centered, or sure he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. As a photographer, especially in sports, you try to capture the moment; not necessarily the moment when they have the ball or puck, but when there is a personal interaction that makes them human. Durant showed it numerous times during the game---he was attentive to what his coach was saying to him. Not with his head down or looking away from him, he listened and showed respect. I know it sounds like a fairy tale, it's the truth.

So…

The photo above was taken at the Indiana Pacers versus Seattle Supersonics in 2008. Kevin Durant is standing next to P.J. Carlesimo; you can see who had the attitude. One is now the NBA scoring leader and is going to the NBA finals (one of the youngest to ever carry a team to the position he is in)---the other is on the sidelines and out of the league.

If it were not for the Bull's being out of the playoffs---go Thunder!

Thanks for stopping by.