Thank You, Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder's star forward, is quickly ascending the ranks of unbelievably cool athletes. He finished his summer by leading the U.S. basketball team to the gold medal of the World Championships, which, while a less significant tournament, proves he can take charge of a team and perform superbly in crucial games. After he hit one crucial shot, the Times reports, he popped the "USA" logo on the jersey's front and gave a salute to the camera -- his tribute to Sept. 11, which, considering the context, is as simple but charged as can be. (The game was played Saturday and he also wrote "9-11-01" on his shoes.)

His game is casually brilliant. He hits jump shots easily; he works in the post; he plays defense; he scores his points through the game's natural flow, without hogging the ball and spotlight. He spent the previous five summers dutifully playing on the U.S. national team and deferring to other stars before reaching this year's peak. His teammates uniformly like him. He rides the University of Texas' public buses, even when he returns to campus a multimillionaire with his pro teammates because he wants them to experience the school as he did -- and declines when a university official offers him a ride. What urban planning student doesn't swoon over that?

Equally important, Durant, with little fanfare, signed a long-term extension with the Thunder this summer. Not only was this a refreshing contrast to LeBron James' egofest, but it helps solidify the Thunder's young, exciting lineup and proves Durant is a humble man who cares about loyalty, hard work and the importance of secondary cities. He could've easily jumped to New York or another megalopolis, but, to refer to an earlier summer post of mine, opted for accomplishing important things in an out-of-the-way place. Durant realizes you don't have to leave your roots to blossom into something wonderful.

With Steve Nash's career nearing its end, there will be a need for a considerate, entertaining player to take his place. It sure seems as though Durant is the one who will do it. And, oh yeah, in 10 or 12 years, it's quite likely we'll discuss whether he's superior to James and Kobe Bryant and the best player of this generation.

Update: Yes, Bill Simmons yesterday published a column about Durant's performance Sunday and his accompanying ascension. I promise I had no idea about it until after I started writing this, though Simmons has loved Durant for longer than I.