NBA Lottery: Words of Warning for Kevin Durant and Greg Oden

Dear Kevin and Greg,

 

Congratulations! 

After a great year in college, you're about to embark on the wonderful journey that is a career in the National Basketball Association.  As excited as you may be to play at the highest level and spend all those dollars you're going to make, you're hardly the most excited people around. 

In fact, there are at least five to ten teams that can't wait for your coming out party.

You may already know this, but some teams were so excited that they worked throughout the regular season to ensure they d have a home for you. 

Sure, they lost a few they could've won—but it was all for you. 

You're that special.

You're so special that we haven't seen anything like this in four whole years, and six before that.  Good old LeBron and Timmy were considered that special...and teams did everything they could to land them. 

It worked with LeBron, as Cleveland dedicated the 2002-2003 season to creating a nice home for the King.  Duncan was a bit of a different story, as Boston seemed like his ultimate destination until—whoops—San Antonio snuck into the mix thanks to a freak injury. 

So as the teams await Tuesday night's big lottery to see who gets to take you home, keep in mind what's at stake here.  This letter is congratulatory, sure—but it's also a warning.

See, beyond all the glitz and the glamor, there s something far more significant to worry about: expectations.

When you're hyped, when you're talented, when you're larger than life—they expect so much from you. 

They're never satisfied. 

Look at LBJ.  Right from the start, he was one of the best.  But he couldn't take his team to the playoffs.  Then he did—and even pushed the mighty Pistons to the brink.  Yet it was the flaws in his game that were highlighted.  Now he's taken the Cavs a step further by being a complete player on an incomplete team...and for that he's picked apart.

And look at Duncan. He's met expectations. The guy is probably the best player the league has seen in the past ten years. But what do you hear about him? He complains too much. His style of play is boring. He is too good to like. 

Are you kidding me? 

The guy has won three championships in seven years. He's absolutely dominant. He's solid and consistent...and he's resented for it.

The funny thing with expectations is that they never stop. Once you meet them, they get higher. Get ready, fellas. They NEED you in Memphis. They NEED you in Boston.  They NEED you in Atlanta. 

Not only will you be expected to play right away and to succeed, you'll be expected to lead your team.  Not only will you be expected to bring new life to the city, you'll be expected expected to save a franchise. 

Everyone knows how good you two are at basketball...but can you really handle all that pressure?  It's not just showing up and playing; you've got to live up to all the expectations that go along with being you.

So on Tuesday, wherever you watch the biggest lottery of the year—be ready.  You'll find out where you'll call home for the next few years.  You'll see the people who will be cheering for you. You'll meet the writers who will be talking to you. 

And you'll be introduced to the NBA, the world of expectations.

Good luck. You'll need it.

Sincerely,

 

Kwame Brown