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In a segment on the Boardroom podcast, 2x champion Kevin Durant spoke candidly on his history as an NBA 2K cover athlete. As a featured player for three separate editions of the game, Durant reflected on his history and what it means to be the face of a generation of 2K.
"When you play the game you become a fan of the game," said Durant. "It becomes your everyday routine at a point then you're on multiple covers... it's just like a dream come true. The real test is when you get to build your MyPlayer out. I make five or six of them the whole year. Playmaker, shot creator, they got so many different names now. '2-way', '3-level scorer' I make a big, 7-footer, so you can have every position in the rec."
The latest installment of NBA 2K was released earlier this month and a fresh face graced the cover: Celtics star and reigning NBA champion Jayson Tatum. Despite being on of the game's highest-rated players, Kevin Durant was nowhere to be seen in the marketing, although he's had plenty of time in the spotlight before.
Kevin Durant is an avid gamer and he has been playing NBA 2K (and other sports games) for years. His first appearance as a cover athlete was back in 2K13 when he was joined by Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin in the signature cover art.
Durant's second appearance came two years later, fresh off his MVP season with the Thunder. He averaged 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 50.3% shooting and followed it up with a legendary MVP acceptance speech.
Durant's latest appearance came in 2022 when he was still a member of the Nets. He joined the front page with Dirk Nowitzki and Hakeem Olajuwon, effectively ranking himself among the greatest players ever.
In the game itself, Durant has always been afforded the proper respect. He hasn't been rated lower than 91 since 2010 and has consistently ranked among the top players in the game. This year, however, he did offer some pushback after seeing that his rating has fallen to 94 overall (the lowest since 2017).
As the 35-year-old prepares to enter his 17th season, the pressure couldn't be higher for him to achieve success with the Suns. Without a title since 2018, Durant needs at least one championship away from the Warriors in order to validate his legacy and silence the haters once and for all.
Alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Durant will have another opportunity to make a run this season and a lot of people will be counting on him to carry them to the depths of the NBA postseason.
Whatever happens, Durant will be ready to deliver another spectacular campaign and besides LeBron James, he's really the only one at this age who can still be counted on to consistently deliver. And when he's not doing that, he's delivering in the virtual world with various MyPlayers that he has no doubt built to perfection.
More must-reads:
- Dylan Harper injures calf, leaves arena in walking boot
- Cooper Flagg responds to his critics amid early career struggles
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Ja Morant suspension could be beginning of the end of guard's Grizzlies run
Are the Memphis Grizzlies and star point guard Ja Morant headed toward a divorce? On Saturday, one day after the two-time All-Star sounded off on the Grizzlies coaching staff following a 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (4-2), Memphis suspended Morant one game "for conduct detrimental to the team," according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Ja Morant, Grizzlies union already strained weeks into 2025-26 season After building an 69-55 halftime lead over Los Angeles, Memphis (3-3) collapsed in the second half. Morant, who finished with eight points on 3-of-14 shooting, only scored two points after halftime. Following the game, he failed to take accountability for his poor performance, instead pointing the finger at Grizzlies coaches, telling reporters, "Go ask the coaching staff." Less than 24 hours later, the Grizzlies levied their punishment. The tense exchange is the latest in what's becoming a potentially toxic situation. The Grizzlies have long stood by the mercurial talent despite Morant previously being suspended twice by the NBA for recklessly brandishing firearms. At a certain point, Morant won't be worth the headache. It could be tipping in that direction already. Through six games, Morant, a career 46.8 percent shooter, is at 40.6 percent. He's shot below 40 percent in four of his six games and is an unsightly 15.6 percent from three-point range while averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. If the Grizzlies, under first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo, struggle to compete in the stacked Western Conference, it might be best to explore a Morant trade and gain assets for a rebuild. Perhaps the suspension will be a wake-up call for Morant, but it could just as easily fracture an already-fraught relationship.
Cowboys Announce Exciting Development on Saturday
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are 3-4-1 with a Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football." They're looking to bounce back after losing to the Denver Broncos 44-24 last week. Prescott has been explosive through the first eight games. He has thrown for 2,069 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 101.6 passer rating while completing 70.3% of his passes. The Cowboys have put together one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, ranking second in total yards per game (384.1) and second in points per game (30.8). The unit may soon be getting reinforcement, including from center Cooper Beebe. Beebe started the first two games of the season for the Cowboys. However, he hasn't played since suffering a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury in Week 2 against the New York Giants. On Saturday, though, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced Beebe is on track to play against the Cardinals. "Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says C Cooper Beebe is on track to play against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night," Harris reported. "Hasn’t played since week two when he suffered a lateral ankle sprain and foot injury." After being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he has become a consistent figure on Dallas' offensive line. As a rookie last season, he started 16 games, earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 65.4. Filling in for Beebe has been fourth-year veteran Brock Hoffman. He's recorded 415 snaps at center this year, committing two penalties and allowing one sack and ranking 29th out of 33 centers with a grade of 56.2. The Cowboys' offensive line has protected Prescott very well. They've allowed just 10 sacks, which is tied for the fourth-least in the NFL. Beebe's return could solidify one of the NFL's top offensive lines, giving Prescott more time and protection in the pocket. Kickoff between the Cowboys and Cardinals is 8:15 p.m. ET Monday at AT T Stadium, airing on ABC and ESPN.
Maple Leafs’ David Kampf Update After Comments to Marlies Players
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf has reportedly left the team’s AHL affiliate, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman offered an update on the situation Monday morning. Speaking about the situation on the most recent 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman shared that Kampf apparently made it clear to other Toronto Marlies players that he was done. As per his report, the disgruntled Maple Leafs forward left his teammates with the impression that he intended to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Friedman noted that Kampf’s absence from the Leafs’ lineup is not performance-related; rather, it stems from salary and roster constraints that currently prevent the team from accommodating him. Friedman noted: “I don’t know exactly what was said or how it was communicated, but Kampf did leave players with the Marlies with the impression that he was going to terminate his contract… He’s not out of the Leafs lineup because he’s not good enough, it’s because they can’t fit his salary and roster spot in right now. We’ll see how this plays out over the next few days. I certainly understand his frustration, and I think he made it clear the status quo just wasn’t good enough for him.” Kampf is annoyed by his situation, and the Maple Leafs are working to trade him. Unfortunately, the Leafs can’t find a taker for his contract. It has left Kampf feeling like he has little choice but to take the next steps available to him, which could include exploring opportunities elsewhere on a lower AAV with another NHL club. He and his agent must believe that if his cap hit weren’t what it is, an NHL franchise would give him a look and a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. Friedman suggested that the fact all of this has gone public might actually work to Kampf’s advantage, allowing him to gauge his market and might not have to take a hugely reduced deal.
Brad Marchand Reportedly Refused Trade to Different Team Before Joining Panthers
** Author’s Note: We’re working to get verification and footage of the comments from Marchand. This report comes from multiple social accounts that claim they heard the remarks firsthand. According to a report by @j_vmess on social media, former Boston Bruins captain and now Florida Panthers veteran star Brad Marchand shared a surprising story during Pantherfest this weekend. Apparently, he confirmed that he was nearly traded at the NHL trade deadline to a different team. He refused that trade, which led him to joining the Florida Panthers. Revealing that the Bruins moved him to a different NHL club, Marchand said he told the team he would not accept a trade there and would refuse to report if dealt. Ultimately, the Bruins pivoted and traded Marchand to Florida. Marchand went on to win a Stanley Cup with the team and re-sign there this past offseason as a free agent. @flatcatsandrats added to the report, noting that according to Marchand, the deal came together just before the deadline closed. “I got traded to another team about an hour before the deadline,” Marchand is said to have told fans. “When they called me, I said no — I wasn’t going.” Marchand didn’t specify which team had acquired his rights; the assumption is that the Los Angeles Kings had expressed serious interest. Marchand has reportedly noted in previous interviews that he wasn’t interested in playing for the Kings or on the West Coast. So too, back in June, Elliotte Friedman wrote that the Kings thought they had a trade for Marchand completed. At the time of Friedman’s article, Marchand was weighing his free agency options, Friedman explained: “Florida is first up, obviously, with the advantage of already being a perfect fit and good state taxes. If he doesn’t stay, Toronto and Utah are expected to be among the serious pursuers. Utah has indicated it is not crazy about term, Toronto could prefer to stretch it out, but, watching him in the final, who wouldn’t want him? Los Angeles (who had a deal with Boston, only to find out Marchand wanted Florida), New Jersey, Washington, etc., etc., he can fit anywhere.” “This was the only team I was coming to,” suggested another person who cited Marchand’s comments this weekend. It was common knowledge that teams were interested in Marchand at the deadline, but knowing that a trade had been finalized and that Marchand was the one who squashed it is an added wrinkle.
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