In the NBA, Less Is More...Well, Sometimes...



Carmelo Anthony (left) and Kevin Durant (right) are making a name for
themselves without giving the typical superstar egos.







  The NBA is not only for entertainment from the month of October to April anymore. The players have expanded the brand to making it a reality show during the summer months. This was doubtedly planned out by the NBA and their ego-stricken players, but has become a sign of the times with a new generation coming into the mix. Although some of the "superstars" of the NBA build their brand by catapulting themselves in the spotlight and scratch & scream to stay there, there are a few superstars in the league who make a name for themselves and earn respect by simply playing the game.

Don't be alarmed, this isn't another LeBron bashing perspective. That story will play itself out during the season. But often we forget about the players in the NBA who quietly get their jobs done on the court by being the leaders of their teams and not complaining about contracts or making themselves seem more important than they are.

Recently, Denver forward Carmelo Anthony's name has been brought up in trade talks with multiple teams including the Bulls, Nets and Knicks. This is a usual situation in any sport. Players get traded and deal with contract negotiations and things of that sort every year. But the class that Anthony has handled the situation with is a thing of the past in the NBA and now gets no attention.

The media hypes up and glorifies players who invest their lives into making everything all about themselves and sometimes ignore the class of some of the NBA's hardest working and humble players. I'm here to give that recognition. Carmelo, I applaud you for dealing with this situation with class and flying under the radar as a respectful superstar in the NBA. I'm praying to see you with the Bulls (wishful thinking), but nonetheless I applaud your humility.

Players like Anthony are starting to emerge in talks of being the best players in the NBA without bringing all the luggage marked "Drama" with them. One of these players is Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. Durant's stock has continued to rise this summer after leading Team USA to a gold medal and beating LeBron James for the league scoring title during the season. Durant boasts a squeaky clean image with an educated background, no tattoos, and slate that's so clean he can see himself in it.

Durant is only 22 but handles himself better than some veteran players who constantly complain about playing time or contract negotiations. He may not reach an NBA title with the Oklahoma City Thunder but he showed his loyalty during the summer when he quietly signed an extension with the expansion team.

Tim Duncan also has the humility of Durant and Anthony. Regarded by some as the best power forward of all-time, Duncan has the stats of a player who should have a supersized ego but remains humble. Duncan is a four-time NBA champion, three of which he was the Finals MVP, and two-time most valuable player. These are just a few of Duncan's accolades, but you get my point.

These players stocks are rising stemming from other players being the extreme opposite and fans getting fed up with the huge ego athletes who manage to talk trash and boast their skills but never win a championship ring.

These three superstars are earning the right to be comparable with the likes of Magic, Bird and Jordan off and on the court. Maybe some of you other "superstar" athletes will take note and realize the egos are getting old and the new way to gain respect is to keep your peace and let your skills speak for you instead of the constantly ajar hole on your faces.