NBA Superstars You Want to Root For
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 2:52 pm
As we've watched the NBA playoffs this year, we've seen a number of NBA superstars time leading their teams on the court with the sort of stellar play you'd expect from someone you'd call a star or superstar. We've seen it from Kevin Durant, Trae Young, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for teams who've been knocked out of the playoffs. Now we're seeing it from Booker and, even more so, Giannis.
Among all of these stars, Giannis stands out as a star I want to root for. He's a throw-back player who gives it everything he has, consistently and at the highest level. Yet, there's no whining and no bravado. And counter to the narrative from sports pundits around the Country, Giannis rejected the allure of South Beach, Hollywood and Broadway, choosing instead to stay with a long-suffering franchise in the middle of the Country with no glitz or glamour, no celebrities and long, cold winters. I just wish we had more like him in the NBA. But I think there are others. One of them is Steph Curry as you can see in the following article I just read:
Steph Curry, just your average salt-of-the-earth NBA superstar.
The Warriors point guard is one of the most respected players in the league, and for good reason.
One player who can attest to that is former Warrior Andre Iguodala, who joined JJ Reddick's The Old Man and the Three podcast and discussed his ex-teammate's humility.
"DeMarcus Cousins, when he was with us, there was one random day where he [said to steph] 'Yo, are you real?' " Iguodala said. "Steph was like, 'What are you talking about?' "
"And [cousins] was like, 'Bro, you're the best player in the league, you don't get mad about anything? You don't ask for anything?' "
NBA superstars of Steph's caliber might have some influence. Whether that be with the officiating on the court, decisions made by the team, or maybe even decisions made throughout the league. Some players hold a lot of power.
But Curry isn't interested in that.
"He doesn't want any special treatment," Iguodala added. "He doesn't ask for anything." "DeMarcus was like, 'You're an incredible person. This is dope. Every superstar I've been around is, like, I need this and I need that.' "
Steph doesn't need any special treatment. Just give him the ball, and he'll create his own advantages.
Other than Giannis and Steph, I'm not sure who else I'd include on a list of current NBA stars you want to root for. I think I might include Damian Lillard on that list, but I was a bit disappointed in his public comment about the Wolves decision to hire Finch instead of Vanterpool and his subsequent push to have the Blazers hire Jason Kidd. I do like his competitive fire and consistently stellar effort. And you rarely if ever see him whining or show-boating. I used to root for Kevin Durant until he became a short-tempered, whiny bxxch. I would have included Kawhi in spite of what happened in San Antonio if not for his complete lack of enthusiastic outward support for his teammates, including no traveling with his team, when he was sidelined during the Conference Finals. I'd include Derrick Rose if he were still playing at his former superstar level, but my list is reserved for current superstars. Trae Young is a possibility, but he's a bit too much of a trash-talker for my taste. I might include Paul George
Who would you include on your list of current NBA superstars you want to root for? What current Wolves player or players do you think might develop into someone who would make your list? Seems like an interesting topic to me, but maybe only to me. :)
Among all of these stars, Giannis stands out as a star I want to root for. He's a throw-back player who gives it everything he has, consistently and at the highest level. Yet, there's no whining and no bravado. And counter to the narrative from sports pundits around the Country, Giannis rejected the allure of South Beach, Hollywood and Broadway, choosing instead to stay with a long-suffering franchise in the middle of the Country with no glitz or glamour, no celebrities and long, cold winters. I just wish we had more like him in the NBA. But I think there are others. One of them is Steph Curry as you can see in the following article I just read:
Steph Curry, just your average salt-of-the-earth NBA superstar.
The Warriors point guard is one of the most respected players in the league, and for good reason.
One player who can attest to that is former Warrior Andre Iguodala, who joined JJ Reddick's The Old Man and the Three podcast and discussed his ex-teammate's humility.
"DeMarcus Cousins, when he was with us, there was one random day where he [said to steph] 'Yo, are you real?' " Iguodala said. "Steph was like, 'What are you talking about?' "
"And [cousins] was like, 'Bro, you're the best player in the league, you don't get mad about anything? You don't ask for anything?' "
NBA superstars of Steph's caliber might have some influence. Whether that be with the officiating on the court, decisions made by the team, or maybe even decisions made throughout the league. Some players hold a lot of power.
But Curry isn't interested in that.
"He doesn't want any special treatment," Iguodala added. "He doesn't ask for anything." "DeMarcus was like, 'You're an incredible person. This is dope. Every superstar I've been around is, like, I need this and I need that.' "
Steph doesn't need any special treatment. Just give him the ball, and he'll create his own advantages.
Other than Giannis and Steph, I'm not sure who else I'd include on a list of current NBA stars you want to root for. I think I might include Damian Lillard on that list, but I was a bit disappointed in his public comment about the Wolves decision to hire Finch instead of Vanterpool and his subsequent push to have the Blazers hire Jason Kidd. I do like his competitive fire and consistently stellar effort. And you rarely if ever see him whining or show-boating. I used to root for Kevin Durant until he became a short-tempered, whiny bxxch. I would have included Kawhi in spite of what happened in San Antonio if not for his complete lack of enthusiastic outward support for his teammates, including no traveling with his team, when he was sidelined during the Conference Finals. I'd include Derrick Rose if he were still playing at his former superstar level, but my list is reserved for current superstars. Trae Young is a possibility, but he's a bit too much of a trash-talker for my taste. I might include Paul George
Who would you include on your list of current NBA superstars you want to root for? What current Wolves player or players do you think might develop into someone who would make your list? Seems like an interesting topic to me, but maybe only to me. :)
