Kevin Durant, NBA superstar… and now avid cyclist

[PotomacCyclist]

For non-basketball fans, Kevin Durant is generally acknowledged to be one of the best young talents in the NBA, if not among the top 2 or 3 players overall. (He is also supposed to be a good character guy, from what I’ve heard.) You may have seen the new commercial in which he credits cycling for taking his game to another level. Even if you aren’t a basketball fan (I’m not a big fan myself), this further increases the prominence of cycling among those who might otherwise dismiss it as something silly. NBA MVP LeBron James is also known for his enthusiasm for cycling. He even sponsors a community bike event every year near Akron, OH.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7m-xs4mBTw

Some of the commenters harp on his bike fit, but he’s not riding a road bike. Plus, he may just look different on a bike because he’s so tall. I don’t think there are many pro cyclists who are 6′ 9″. Even Fabian Cancellara is just 6′ 1″. (I’m not knocking cyclists here. I’m well under 6′ myself.)

“I wanted to push myself. There’s no team to fall back on. No defender to stare down. Out here, it’s just me against my own will.”

Topic

[Tim Kelley]

Another Kevin Durant video–this one is an extended version and he actually mentions riding in Washington DC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDMDXvs2zmk

[PotomacCyclist]

I forgot that he was born and raised in D.C. and Maryland. A couple years ago, some people speculated that the Wizards were freeing up payroll so that they could swoop in when Kevin Durant’s rookie contract expired and sign him to his hometown team. Well, that didn’t quite work out.

But we have learned one thing from all this: Riding a bike in D.C. (and VA and MD) makes a person AWESOME!

[Vicegrip]

@mllwhnp 48704 wrote:

Conan just looks awkward and unhappy on that bike. It’s hard to look at.

It gives me the idea to to find him some shade and a bike fitter.

The old saw about fish and bikes comes to mind too. All things considered good for him riding.

[Author]

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