Few things associated with the NBA can be called a “win” this summer. But everything Kevin Durant touches seems to be turning into gold. He’s the anti-Beasley.
And with that we share the trailer for Kevin Durant’s new show, the 35th hour (via SLAM). Here’s how KD’s official website describes the show:
KD and the KevinDurant35.com team are working together on a new online video project called “35th Hour” to give his fans a more personal look at KD’s life on and off the court.
It’s benign enough. It’s Durant bowling with his friends. And fans love to know personal things about their favorite players. So it will probably be a fun little look inside KD’s life.
But the bigger question is whether Durant is ready for the scrutiny that comes with it?
You see, part of Durant’s appeal, aside from being a stone-cold killer offensively on the court, is that he’s quiet. He seems to be the reluctant star. We’ve all pictured him as the quiet guy who humbly accepts his role as the league’s next megastar. It doesn’t matter if that’s who he is or not, it’s how he’s seen. In the world of perception being reality, it’s an important starting point.
Now Durant is slowly “putting himself out there”. And when you do that, you don’t just open up your life to the fans for them to bask in your glory. You open your life to fans so they can critique your every move. It’s a dangerous step to take for such a universally loved athlete.
And that’s not to say it’s the wrong step. It may well work out smashingly for him. He may raise his profile even more and turn into the kind of world-wide icon LeBron James wishes he can be. But it also may not. And that’s the part KD needs to be weary about. You have to know what you’re getting into.
Putting it all out there for people to consume will lead to some dissatisfied consumers. Be they Oklahoma City Thunder fans who look at this and say “why aren’t you in the gym more,” or talk show hosts who draw far-fetched conclusions from the simple fact that he’s decided to do this, Durant is opening himself up to a lot more criticism than he’s used to.
This evolution of his image will forever change many ideas of who Durant is. But even though that is the goal of the show, but not everyone will come to the conclusion Durant and his people intended. I just hope Durant is prepared for that.
