Nice Kicks: Are we going to see some of that story telling on the sole of the KD2?
Kevin Durant: [laughs] I think we will. I can’t give you too much right now, but I think you will really like the KD2.
Nice Kicks: A quick change we saw on the Nike KD2 from the KD1 was a midfoot strap. Were you looking for some additional lock-down support?
Kevin Durant: I was always big on straps, I always liked them on my shoes. My foot felt more secure. I wanted that in my second shoe and they did it for me. I’m excited to hear what you guys think about it and I can tell you that it’s going to be a good shoe.
Nice Kicks: You played a year at Texas before you entered the NBA, but you still are working on your education in the off season. How important is it to you to continue college?
Kevin Durant: You know, it’s very important because there is life after basketball. That’s what I was always taught and if I want to be better after playing basketball, I need to continue learning. It’s tough to get back into the rhythm of school, but I’m pushing through.
“I am glad that they require one year in college because it not only helped me on the court, but off the court as well” |
Nice Kicks: It’s a pretty controversial issue requiring ballers to spend a year in the D-league or at least one year in college. Looking back, what was the greatest thing you learned by playing that one year at Texas?
Kevin Durant: That it was another level. Going straight from a boy to a man is tough. I like to think that it helped me go from being a boy, to a young man, to a grown man. Once I hit college, you know, I was on my own. My parents weren’t there everyday to clean up after me or look over my homework so I had to do it myself. I did get to do this growing up with my teammates though. The team was young with 7 freshmen so we all were going through the same thing. You know, it’s a good thing. I am glad that they require one year in college because it not only helped me on the court, but off the court as well.
Nice Kicks: What was something you now know about the NBA that you wished you knew when you were heading in?
Kevin Durant: How long the season is – I took that for granted. It’s tough going through 82 games, plus preseason, plus playoffs if you make it, so you play almost 100 games a year…
Nice Kicks: …And if you play for the national team?
Kevin Durant: Yes! And if you play for the national team that adds another 2 months of playing and practice so basically you only get a month off. It’s tough, but it’s the life that we chose and I hope to go down that road which is to play in the Olympics.
