I'm a basketball player. That's what I do and what I love but that's just not all who I am. I'm talented in a lot of different areas.
Kevin DurantRead
A big market is something that doesn't really concern me too much. It's cool to think about, it's good for off-the-court deals. But I'm more of a basketball player. That's what I want to be known as. And this is the best place for me to play basketball. I'm glad I'm here.
Interpretation
Prioritizing personal passion and identity over external validation or market success.
Kevin Durant emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and prioritizing personal fulfillment over commercial opportunities. He acknowledges the allure of a large market but asserts that his identity as a basketball player and his love for the game are what matter most to him, demonstrating a commitment to passion over profit.
In practice
In a speech at a sports event, to inspire young athletes about following their dreams.
I'm a basketball player. That's what I do and what I love but that's just not all who I am. I'm talented in a lot of different areas.
I'm just trying to grow. That's one thing I told myself is, 'Don't worry about who people say is the best player'.
I was the second-best player in high school. I was the second pick in the draft. I've been second in the MVP voting three times. I came in second in the Finals. I'm tired of being second. I'm not going to settle for that. I'm done with it.
My mother taught me to always be strong and always work hard. She's been working hard her whole life for me and my brother. I'm a lot like her in that I work hard for what I want. She taught me that.
Set the goal and work all days for it, until you achieve, I want to be a champion, the best!
You sacrificed for us - you're the real MVP.
When you kill time, you kill your opportunities for success.
Go to the young conductors who are not making it, and you will hear how we shouldn't push ourselves or sell ourselves, how they don't have the right connections and the right opportunities. Well, you can be sure they've had the opportunities.
Your ability to set goals is the master skill of success. Goals unlock your positive mind and release ideas and energy for goal attainment. Without goals, you simply drift and flow on the currents of life. With goals, you fly like an arrow, straight and true to your target.
For us to grow globally, it's not enough to just be an exporter. We have to be a creator.
I believe God wants you to have money to pay your bills, send your kids to college and do charity work and build orphanages. There's the teaching that we're supposed to be poor to show that we're humble. I don't buy that. I think we're supposed to be leaders. We're supposed to excel.
I never said to myself, 'I'm going to be the greatest.' I just wanted to do my own thing.
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