OKC'S Durant May Be Ringless, but He's Already Wedded to NBA Fans

Oh so young, yet ever so gifted.

A warm smile instead of an icy stare.

A smaller market player with emerging global appeal.

Liked and respected widely; not demonized and disrespected selectively.

Seems genuinely humble, dominating games played by prideful men.

Flexes clean chocolate hued spaghetti thin arms, rather than brawny biceps brandishing a bevy of tattoos.

Refers to himself in the first person rather than the royal "we," or by a global brand he’s apparently not anxious to become.

Scores effortlessly both on the court and off, with fans who admire his talent as well as his approachability.

Unceremoniously signed a contract extension in the offseason when lesser players manipulated their pending free agency by staging media circuses during the season.

Confident pecking his mom on the cheek rather than smacking lips with scores of admiring groupies in the stands.

His height and length defy basketball beliefs that only those of much shorter stature can dribble, drive and dish the way he does so deftly.

Comfortable with a quasi-arachnid nickname over that of a monarch or snake.

May be ringless for at least another NBA season, but already wedded to basketball fans everywhere.

He's Kevin Durant.

Straight talk. No static.

MIKE - the ultimate talking head on sports!

http://www.theemike.com