[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

In my opinion, being humble is completely overrated.  Guys hate LeBron and Kobe because they aren’t humble.  They’re cocky and egotistical.  I’d rather have guys on my team that talk trash, work hard, and know they’re good rather than have quiet and humble stars.  If you watch guys like Durant on the floor, he’s not much of a vocal leader.  Russell Westbrook takes care of that.  If you’re the best player on the team, I don’t want you to be humble and quiet, I want you to be loud and show your team why you’re the best.

This is another reason as to why Russell Westbrook takes any shot and does what he wants on the court.  He basically gets to step all over Durant whenever he wants because Durant doesn’t usually say anything.  Now, I’ve been liking the fact that Durant has been standing up for himself at times (i.e. Chris Bosh event).  It’s just hard to give this guy credit when he steps up to basically the most bullied NBA player.  It doesn’t make you look any tougher.

All I’m saying is, I’d rather have a guy like Westbrook, Melo, Kobe, Wade, LeBron, and more recently, Dwight.  I’d rather have guys with that swagger.  Guys that play with a certain nastiness.  They know they’re good and they show it.  Jordan knew he was the best and is arguably one of the best trash talkers of all time. 

Can you imagine if Jordan was as quiet as Durant?  I don’t think he would have won as many rings.

What’s your guy’s take on humble/cocky players?

[M-DYMESParticipant]

Cockiness and confidence is a must IMO.  When I was younger I never had great confidence in my game but as I got older I started to gain it.  Now when I go out with the mentality that I know I’m better than you, my shot is on fire.  If I don’t get in that type of mentality, I can go on a cold streak fast. 

Its interesting how that truly affects your game.  Idk if lacking confidence possibly creates a slight hesitation in your shot or what it is, but it does have a tremendous effect imo.

As far as Durant goes, I think he is confident but lacks that cockiness.  So his game will be fine, but I think if he becomes a bit more cocky or shows that he knows hes better than the other playes on the floor, his teammates will have more confidence in him and OKC will emerge stronger than ever.

[prodogParticipant]

last time i check tim duncan isnt cocky and well u know how far that has gotten him

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

And I agree with the Tim Duncan comparison but Tim is still a vocal leader on the floor.  He knows what he’s doing and he passes his knowledge down to his teammates.  It’s rare to see a star player that can also be a coach, and he is just that.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I think you’re confused…

I think Russell Westbrook is very humble. Have you ever seen him do a post game interview? He plays with confidence and swagger on the court, but is STILL humble. You can show swagger and confidence, and still be humble.

I don’t think people have a problem with players that are confident. I think it’s the opposite. People love confident players who have that swagger. I think they have a problem with players who think they’re above the game… Above their teammates. Above the fans who pay good money to come see them play and buy their jerseys. They have a problem with players who refer to themselves in the third person… Players who think their sh*t doesn’t stink. Players who can’t take coaching or criticism. Players that are just flat out d*ck heads.

Growing up in Indianapolis, Jason Gardner was that guy all of us kids watched. He was super confident. Had tons of swagger. Always stepped up during the big moments. Yet I never seen him pound on his chest or showboat. I never saw him act like he was too good. He was always a team first guy. He was never a d*ck head. He never thought he was better or above anybody else.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I can see what you’re saying.. but all of the Jordan memories we have, is of him talking trash, knowing he’s better, yelling at teammates for their mistakes, pounding his chest, and acting like he was better than everybody.  Why is it so wrong for guys like LeBron and Kobe to do that?  They are seen as egotistical while Jordan is simply seen as amazing.

Players in interviews are often humble.  It’s not that they’re humble, it’s that they have to be professional.  You’re not going to hear Kobe say, "Yeah, Shane Battier can’t guard me, I’m not sure why the media says that.." but you’ll see him during games yell in Battier’s ear and tell him, "YOU CAN’T GUARD ME!".  That’s exactly what I’m talking about.  You see LeBron give winks to his opponents.  You see Melo showboat here and there.  I like that cockiness.  When I see Durant do something, he doesn’t show that nastiness.  He doesn’t play like he’s the best player on the floor at times.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t have a problem with players who don’t trash talk or showboat. I prefer players who just let their games do the talking and Durant does that. Durant shows us the occassional chest pound and wierd thing he does with his arms after he dunks. He runs and does the chest bump with his teammates. He shows emotion and passion out there, and it’s genuwine.

You can’t lead the league in scoring two years in a row and not have confidence or swagger. He’s young and still learning… Still getting better. He’ll become more vocal. He’ll get stronger so players who are physical won’t bother him. He’ll learn, just as LeBron has, to close out games more effectively. Durant will probably never be a trash talker or showboater. It’s just not him.

I really don’t think talking trash and showboating is a great measurement of a player’s confidence or what he’s made of. It’s probably good entertainment, but that’s about it in my opinion.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I know what you mean.  It’s just a personal opinion of mine. 

To each, his own.

[chevilicousParticipant]

Tim Duncan is the complete exception, over the last 10 years I would take him over anybody in the league. Even though you are looking at the stars who have excelled with this attitude, you really didn’t look at the stars who didn’t, as an attitude like this can also pose problems with a team in the locker room, great examples of this would be Marbury, francis and Iverson, it works for some and not so much for others.

[mini_marzParticipant]

tim duncan is a leader… but i never remember him putting people in there place… coach pop was the on that did that… that is something that durant needs to learn to do…. how does he continue to let westbrook wave him off during games?? u think pippen could do that to jordan ? or kobe to shaq in there time together?

durants problem is that he is humble on and off the court… off the court its good… but i would much rather the cockiness on the court then him being humble… but not everyone has that in them… he just has a soft personality

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Why is it Durant’s job to put Westbrook in his place? Isn’t that Scott Brooks’ job? Brooks is the head coach, not Durant.

I also specifically remember Durant getting on Westbrook during a huddle. It’s easy to see Durant has a non-confrontational personality, but it’s something he’ll learn how to do effectively as he gets older. I don’t think him not being "cocky" or whatever has anything to do with it.

Durant is young, yet he has solid leadership qualities. He just needs to expand on them, which he will.

[TRC1991Participant]

dirk is insanely humble…durant is humble…theres a lot of guys out there that dont talk smack, aren’t egotistical, and dont appear to love themselves but it all stems on their personalities

[chevilicousParticipant]

^

True, John Stockton was incredibly humble too yet considered one of the dirtiest players in the game, you can still be humble and have that competitive drive to win.

Another great example would be David Robinson, i was completely convinced at age 15 that he was in fact Jesus.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I wouldn’t say Dirk is "insanely" humble.  He is humble but he has shown great leadership at times.  For the most part, players that are cocky tend to win rings more often than not.  David Robinson and Tim Duncan are rare exceptions, but for the most part, players/teams that are cocky, win.

The ’08 Celtics, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, the ’04 Pistons, Shaq/Kobe, Jordan, Bad Boy Pistons, Magic, Bird, Red Auerbach/Bill Russell, Julius Erving.

The list goes on, when you mention those guys above, you think two things.  Cocky and championships.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

For the past however many so years, Dirk has been the kind of humble I DON’T like.

During a series versus Denver, he actually talked about how Kenyon Martin and Birdman could defend him. It was sickening to hear. In a situation like that, I’d rather my superstar not talk about how his "enemy" can defend him. Give them credit for tough defense, but never talk about how somebody can defend you and make it difficult on your jumpshot. It was disgusting…

This has been a different Dirk during this playoff run. He’s STILL humble, yet more confident. Now he’s like, "I’ve seen every defense. Either I’ll score or make the right play." Now, he just has an attitude that nobody can defend him. He’s playing with a different confidence level. I love it.

I wish he would’ve played like this and had this mentality his whole career, but I guess it takes some players longer than others to get it. Some people never get it. To be honest, I never thought Dirk would. I’d poured the cement on Dirk and let it harden quite a few years ago. I thought that was who he was.

[M-DYMESParticipant]

John Stockton also had Karl Malone.

That helps just a lil bit.

[M-DYMESParticipant]

Also Dirk hasn’t won a ring yet, so you can’t really put him up there in terms of being humble and reaching the pinnacle of success like Duncan.

Not to mention Duncan had a big 3.  Him, Parker, and Ginobili were one of the greatest trios of alltime IMO when they had that stretch winning championships 3 outta 5 years I believe (not sure if that is right).

[WizardofOzParticipant]

Yeah, Dirk is TOO humble. Earlier in the season, he actually said the Mavs closer is Jason Terry. C’MON NOW! You’re the best player on your team and you say another player is the closer? That just rubs me the wrong way.

[ChrischiParticipant]

Actually Terry and Dirk in pick n’roll situation is the way we usually close our games and Terry will have the ball most of time. That is just the way it is, Dirk is still 7’0 can be tough to isolate him if he’s not in the right position.

I have to say a few things though. Being humble, doesn’t mean you cannot be a vocal leader. I watched Dirk a lot, I think sometimes a little more comunication could have prevented a few buckets but usually you see him talk or even bark at his teammates and occasionally you even see him conduct other players especially on offense.

I’m not to sure about someone like Rose but I think he is on a good way of being a leader, but hey he is 22.

About Durant, I think the humble Durant is dead and I mean dead forever. I mean at the end of every series you saw both teams showing some respect for each other, even the fake-tough-Celtics. But Durant really had no respect whatsoever, you could see it in his eyes. He really believed that his team was able to beat the team that swept the two-time defending champs. The reason for that is probably the entire emotional swing the playoffs were for him. First a 7-game series against the 8th seeded team, than the good feeling that they didn’t have to play the Lakers and a rather easy matchup, the soft and inconsistent Mavs who are always the first team to pick to get upset in the playoffs. And then they lose that 4th game.

[elevation1013Participant]

Given the millions of dollars that NBA players make it has become rightfully expected that they conduct themselves with class and dignity off the court. With that said, any NBA player who doesn’t leave that mentality off the court when they actually play this game doesn’t belong in the pros. There’s a huge difference with being cocky and showing swagger in game situations and  being cocky and arrogant when talking to the media.

[Author]

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