The NBA postseason has been full of surprises this year, with some of the league’s biggest names finding themselves on the sidelines.
Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James, who have been dominant forces in the playoffs in recent years, have all been eliminated. What’s even more surprising is that it’s the younger players who have stepped up and sent these seasoned veterans home.
For Kevin Durant, it was Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves who led the charge, while Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray took down LeBron James and the Lakers. Stephen Curry, on the other hand, didn’t even make it to the playoffs as the young Sacramento Kings team made their mark.
Despite their playoff exits, Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports, recently took the time to appreciate the greatness of Durant and Curry. In a recent appearance on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast, Paul expressed his admiration for these players, acknowledging their contributions to the game.
“I think that just appreciating the guys, appreciating LeBron, appreciating Kevin Durant, appreciating Steph Curry, like appreciating these guys,” said Paul.
Paul went on to highlight the journey of these players, from their early days in college to their current status as NBA superstars. He emphasized Durant’s love for the game and his pure basketball talent, noting that it has propelled him to great heights in his career.
“Seeing a guy like Steph at forward field in the NCAA tournament to being there, you know, I had Johnny Flynn in that draft. When they came out, he went before, yeah, and seeing everything that he’s been able to do, just understanding how Kevin (Durant) just, he just loves the game, he is just a pure basketball player, right?
And we see what that gets you. He, you know, I don’t even know when he’s going to stop playing, he may be 55 years, he just, he just loved to hoop.”
In essence, Paul’s message is clear: we should appreciate the greatness of these players while they are still active. As someone who has closely observed greatness in the NBA for decades, Paul understands the value of acknowledging the contributions of these iconic players.
A few seasons ago, Maxey was on the verge of being sent down to the G-League. However, Paul’s intervention led to Maxey staying with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he had the opportunity to learn from and play alongside Joel Embiid. This decision proved to be pivotal for Maxey’s career, as he experienced a remarkable turnaround.
Not only did Maxey’s performance on the court improve significantly, but he also filled the void left by James Harden and earned himself an All-Star selection this season.
Currently, Maxey is leading the Sixers in the playoffs due to Embiid’s injury and is a strong contender for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Paul’s impact on Maxey’s career trajectory is a testament to his ability to identify and develop talent in the NBA.
In many ways, Paul has a pulse on the nerve of greatness in the NBA. His understanding of what it takes to succeed in the league goes beyond just recognizing current stars; it extends to shaping the careers of young players and guiding them towards success.
The transformation of Maxey’s career from a potential G-League player to a rising star with a lucrative contract exemplifies Paul’s influence and expertise in the realm of player management.
As the NBA landscape continues to evolve with new talents emerging and established stars facing new challenges, Paul’s role in shaping the future of the league becomes increasingly significant. His ability to identify and nurture talent has far-reaching implications for both individual players and the league as a whole.
In conclusion, Rich Paul’s insights into appreciating current NBA stars and his impact on shaping the careers of young players highlight his profound understanding of greatness in the league.
As fans, we should heed his call to appreciate the contributions of iconic players like Durant and Curry while they are still active. Moreover, we should recognize the pivotal role that individuals like Paul play in shaping the future of the NBA and ensuring that its legacy of greatness continues for years to come.
