When you think of superstars in the league a few names come to mind like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and now Stephen Curry. However one of those names was not voted in as an NBA All Star this year and he’s the league’s reigning MVP and scoring champion, Kevin Durant. Unfortunately he was hit with an injury and has appeared in just 19 of his team’s 42 games this season, and as a result, has remained largely invisible from the national spotlight. He finished just fifth in the West in All-Star voting for frontcourt players — more than 800,000 votes behind Anthony Davis, and almost 250,000 votes behind Marc Gasol. So how does he feel about that?
Durant seems unconcerned with it all, at least on the surface.
From Michael Wallace of ESPN.com:
Reigning league MVP Kevin Durant says a drastic drop-off in fan votes that cost him a starting spot in next month’s NBA All-Star Game won’t serve as any extra motivation as he tries to lead Oklahoma City back into the playoff picture.
“I don’t need the All-Star vote to validate me as a player,” Durant said Friday when asked about the perceived snub. “I’m always motivated. This is my eighth year in the league. I’ve been on All-Star teams before. I’ve done things in this league. I don’t need that to validate me.” …
“It is what it is. I’m also motivated because I love playing basketball,” said Durant, who is averaging 25.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists this season. “Honest, I haven’t played a lot. So it’s all good.”
