Are You an MVP?

 

     I have to share something that stopped me in my tracks this week and as fast as I go that’s not easy. It's how to be an MVP by Kevin Durant. I watched the Youtube video of his acceptance speech and was blown away by his wisdom and heart. Here's a few things he shared.  Know who to thank. NO one gets to this status on their own.  First off he thanks God. Something many superstars shy away from. Understanding his gifts are just that, gifts.  He realizes basketball is just a platform for him to inspire people, and inspire he does. He came from humble beginnings, and felt trapped with no way out.  His original desire was to be a rec coach and help kids. He never dreamed he would make it to college, much less the NBA and certainly not the MVP .  He recognizes he had so much help, those that believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself.  With doubt came motivation and each time he fell he got back up. He’s been through the toughest times, but he’s still standing. He plays basketball because he loves it. It is his passion. He fell in love with the game the first time he walked into a gym.  He fell in love with not just the game, but also the people in the game. He thanks his team, that pushed him to be the best he could be. He singled out just about every player and I couldn’t help but notice his very real respect and admiration for their similarities but mostly their differences. He was always open to learning, even from the rookies. His teammates lift him up, both in his game and his spirit. They taught him there is never a point when you can stop getting better.              They called him MVP all along planting that seed. They respected him as a player and as a man. He went on to praise and thank his team mates sharing individual stories and wished he had a sharpie to put all their names on the trophy. He understands that when you’ve got people behind you, you can do whatever. He thanked them for making him look good, better than on his own and boosting his confidence when it was low.  It takes a strong man to admit he isn’t always right and he did, on national television.  He is also humble enough to admit he has bad days, and isn’t always the best example for the younger players but they are still there to push him to greatness, to elevate his game both on and off the court. By taking the time to get to know his teammates in work and life they inspire him as much as he inspires them.  Knowing they are watching him inspires him to be on point. They compete, but to be better to make each other better. It spoke volumes that every player was there to support him knowing they had a tough game the next day, and he thanked them for that. He thanked the organization, the owners, the coaches, the support staff and the fans for the opportunity and the support.  No act of support went unnoticed or was taken for granted.  But is got real when he thanked his family. He thanked his brothers for believing in him, and giving him the confidence to believe in himself. He thanked his grandma for making him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and texting him after the games to tell him to stop getting so many techs.  And last but certainly not least he thanked his mom.  She had two boys by the time she was 21, the odds were stacked against us, he said. But she was there, pushing him, screaming at him from the sidelines of his games at 8 years old. She made them believe, kept them off the street, put clothes on their backs and food on the table even when she didn’t eat herself.  He said “You the real MVP.”  And last, thanked God again. If you want to understand what it takes to be an MVP in work and life, do yourself a favor and take the 26 minutes to watch this video. He is an amazing young man, an MVP on the court and off. Happy Mothers Day.

Watch the whole think here MVP