Kevin Durant: Memories and tears on his journey back home

It wasn’t just about Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant’s much-awaited launch of his sixth Nike signature shoe.  Of course, that was the highlight of the two-day program set up by Nike for 78 media representatives from 10 countries in Washington, DC, a few weeks ago.  But more than the unveiling, the 24-year-old Durant wanted the visiting press to discover his roots, the hardships he endured as a kid and the places where he hung out before becoming, as Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant put it, the city’s favorite son.

Nike pulled out all the stops to make sure the event would be like no other.  Durant conspired in the effort, making himself available and accessible throughout the tour.  He obliged the media in one-on-one interviews, welcomed the visitors to his grandmother’s home, engaged 140 summer basketball campers from six to 17 in a lively open forum and even played a series of pick-up games with the press.  As a bonus, Nike brought out Durant’s mother Wanda and grandmother Barbara, WNBA player and broadcaster Kara Lawson, soccer star Oguchi Onyewu, Nike shoe designer Leo Chang, elementary and high school coach Taras Brown, legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson and his son John III and former NBA star John Lucas to interact with the media.

That wasn’t all.  Along the way, Nike took the press to the three-story Superstore at Georgetown, the Lincoln Memorial to soak in some history, the District Architecture Center in the Penn Quarter, a sports bar near the Washington Wizards’ home Verizon Center and the Source Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck adjacent to the Newseum.  The icing on the cake was staying at the strategically located and super-comfortable Hotel George right by Union Station.  This could be the toughest act to follow in Nike’s media tour history.

Of the 78 media reps, 28 were from Asia including two from the Philippines.  The other Asian countries in the mix were China, Hong Kong and Japan.  Turkey, Greece, UK, France, Spain and the US completed the cast.  Every stop was a surprise as Nike kept the visitors in suspense mode throughout the trip.  It made the entire experience more unforgettable and exciting.

On the first day, we were transported in two buses to the Seat Pleasant Activity Center where Durant learned to play the game.  Seat Pleasant is a city with a population of about 4,500 in Maryland about a 30-minute drive from downtown D. C.  We were ushered into the gym where broadcaster and former sports columnist Mike Wilbon hosted a sit-down discussion with Durant, Chang and Durant’s mother.  The low-cut, lightweight KD6 was officially introduced to media. 

 Then, we were brought to the two-story wooden home of Durant’s grandmother.  We gathered in the yard where Durant’s mother broke down and cried.  “We had a lot of good times in this house,” sobbed Wanda. “I’m just so grateful.”  Durant said, “I never thought I would have this many people on the porch of my grandma’s house just because I could play basketball a little bit.”  Durant’s brother Tony, 27, said the house served as the family’s intervention center.  “That’s where we learned the values of respect, humility and just being good people,” he said.  “Our grandma prepared countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for us.  We understand that where we came from is what makes us.  Our family is big on respect.”

Durant rode in our bus as we drove by the outdoor cement courts of Fairmount Heights where he played as a boy.  Next stop was the dreaded “Hill,” a steeply-inclined street where Durant ran up and down to build his stamina and leg strength as a teener.  Coach Brown was on hand to relate to the media how Durant never complained, showing a deep sense of discipline in sometimes assaulting the “Hill” before dawn.  Back at the Activity Center, we were treated to a sumptuous lunch of “soul food” consisting of baked or fried chicken, greens, fried fish, French fries and cornbread. 

 The afternoon session started with Wilbon presiding in an on-stage discussion with Durant, Lawson, Onyewu, Chang and Wanda before the media and 140 summer campers assembled by facility director Sherri Kittrell.  Mayor Grant popped in to present Durant with the key to the city.  We had a chance to interview Chang, Wanda and Lawson before our one-on-one with Durant in a private room.  Durant patiently answered every question thrown his way, never showing signs of wearing out.  He spoke fondly about his Manila visit two years ago, said his greatest achievement was getting drafted into the NBA because it turned his life around and how he relies on his teammates despite being a three-time NBA scoring champion. 

Durant said he’ll never forget his humble beginnings.  “If it wasn’t for my mom, my grandma and my early coaches, I wouldn’t be what I am today,” he said.  “They molded me.  I used to fall on the concrete and hit the pole but that’s what I went through, it’s part of growing up.  My hometown made me who I am today.”  Durant was 16 when his AAU coach Charles Craig was killed by a single gunshot wound in the back while trying to break up a streetfight.  From that point on, Durant vowed to always wear No. 35 as Craig was 35 when he was murdered.  It’s no wonder that at the heel of KD6 are the words “Big Chunky” in Craig’s memory and at the tip of the shoe are the words “Seat Pleasant’s Finest” to honor his hometown.

On the second day, Nike vice president and global creative director for basketball Tracy Teague introduced the media to the wide range of products related to Durant’s latest shoe.  There was a display of an assortment of Durant merchandise on the ground floor of the District Architecture Center.  Then, we took a 30-minute stop at the Lincoln Memorial before moving to the Nike Superstore at Georgetown where on the third floor, a life-size granite-colored statue of Durant greeted shoppers.  Alaska guard Cyrus Baguio, enjoying his off-season break, happened to be at the store when we visited.  We proceeded to Georgetown University where we engaged coach emeritus John Thompson and his son John III, now the Hoyas head coach, in a lively chat.  The final stop was Sidwell Friends School on Wisconsin Avenue where Nike’s Durant Skills Academy coaches Kyle Manary and Alan Stein worked us through basketball drills.  We were later joined by Durant in a series of pick-up games.  After the workout, Lucas turned up to present the 19 chosen collegiate players participating in the KD Skills Academy.  Two of his assistant coaches were former PBA imports Mike Morrison and Rick Brunson.

Since the first KD shoe hit the stores in 2009, Durant has been at the forefront of Nike’s campaign to promote the NBA’s Mr. Nice Guy.  The KD6 has emerged as the most innovative and revolutionary edition of Durant’s series with a new tongue assymetrical construction, zoom air in the forefoot, max air in the heel, ultra-thin two-layer flywire and a hexagon sole pattern for increased traction.  The eye-catching design was deliberate, as Durant said, “I want the people in the top of the arena to be able to see my shoe.”

 A week after the tour, Durant proposed marriage to Monica Wright, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA.  Wright, 24, described Durant as “a really compassionate guy (who’s) got a heart of gold.”  Durant, ranked No. 12 on Sports Illustrated’s list of 50 wealthiest athletes with earnings of over $27 million this year, went through the process in finalizing the engagement.  Although they’ve known each other since 2006, Durant only recently decided to pop the question with a large circular diamond ring after months of discreet dating. 

What makes Durant extraordinary is he’s basically an ordinary guy despite his superstar status, he’s down-to-earth with both feet on the ground, humble, respectful and caring.  Considering his goal to play until his 40s, Nike has a long way to go with Durant and you can expect a kilometric line of signature shoes to emerge in the years to come because of his incredible impact on the game.