“Why shouldn’t you have control over your own nickname?”
That question, posed by basketball guru and ESPN reporter Bill Simmons during an interview with Kevin Durant at All-Star Weekend, might be the most controversial thing that’s ever left his mouth — and that’s saying a lot for the outspoken Bostonian who likes to pick a fight.
Durant was asked if he liked the nickname bestowed on him, “Slim Reaper.” He passed on the epithet and told Simmons to call him, “The Servant.” He attributes the name to his ability to serve his teammates, Oklahoma City Thunder fans and even the ushers at the game.
“I know it’s kind of weird to make your own nicknames up, but I like that one better,” Durant said in the interview conducted for Grantland.
But you don’t get to decide, Durantula!
Nicknames, especially in sports, are not intended for personal preference but rather the legacy and impact one has established, from the games they’ve played to experiences on and off the court with teammates, coaches and fans alike.
This self-proclaiming nicknaming phenomenon may have found its origins with Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, who simply disposed of the “Flash” nickname he received earlier in his career. Instead, he told reporters to call him “WOW,” an acronym for “Way of Wade.”
Terrible, right? Let the people decide, players.
Wade’s Miami teammate and future Hall of Famer Ray Allen didn’t choose the nickname “Jesus Shuttlesworth.” He got it from playing the character in the movie He Got Game. You don’t just get a 1999 MTV Movie Award Nomination for Best Breakthrough Male Performance and not expect the nickname to stick.
Do you think Michael Jordan wanted a “Space Jam” nickname? Of course Air Jordan did.
Durant, or K-Dog, also starred in the movie Thunderstruck, where his basketball talents are swapped with a clumsy 16-year-old, Brian. Although it lacked the groundbreaking animation of Space Jam, it makes as much sense to start calling Durant “Clumsy Brian” rather than allowing him to give himself a nickname.
Being a servant has unselfish connotations and it’s admirable that Durant wants to portray himself as an altruistic teammate, but you can’t mess with the nicknames, K-Smoove. You have to earn them.
ch115710@ohiou.edu
@colinhanner
