NBA Basketball’s Most Valuable Player (MVP 2014) Kevin Durant, gave an acceptance speech that led to a standing ovation from the audience. His teammates and NBA officials stood up to honor him.

If I was there, I might have given him a standing ovation the whole time.

The NBA is a very tough league reserved only for the best athletes. To survive, those guys must be mentally strong as well. But Durant showed a vulnerability that moved many.

His speech contained his beliefs and attitudes that can inspire a person’s life.

1. He Understood: Basketball isn’t his life, but just a Platform.
Being a popular basketball player isn’t his goal. It’s his tool to be an inspiration and a role model to others.

With the internet, people don’t need to be on a stage to be heard. I believe anyone can influence people positively. A Facebook post, a tweet, a text… can go a long way to encourage someone. It motivates me to do this more often.

2. He Acknowledged: Teammates contributed to his Success
He mentioned his teammates who impacted his life as a person and as an athlete.

It’s humbling when I reflect about the people whom God brought to my life. They made me a better person inside out.

3. He Appreciated: Family and Close Friends supported him ever since.
There are people in his life that knows him foremost as a person, not as a popular athlete. They stuck with him through thick and thin.

I need people in my life who I know will be there for me during my successes and failures. The storms of life will come. I must have people who won’t abandon me during those moments.

4. He Recalled: The Past was Difficult, but didn’t dictate his Future
He wasn’t afraid to tell people how hard it was in his growing years. He lived in a single-parent home where finances were limited. Yet they all persevered in spite of the difficulties.

I have my own set of challenges when I was growing up. I shouldn’t deny that it existed. At the same time, I shouldn’t let it negatively affect my future.

5. He Honored: His Mother’s Self-sacrifice brought Eventual Rewards
He said his mom did all that she could to put food on the table. She didn’t mind if she wouldn’t eat, as long as her children ate. She was the REAL MVP!

I must honor my mom and people who helped me survive and thrive. I wouldn’t be here without them.

6. He Believed: God was the One who changed his life and Saved him
He knew that God was the One who transformed his life, and assured him of eternal life. It wasn’t luck or a twist of faith that changed him.

I experienced my own life transformation when I gave my life to God many years ago. It’s my desire to give others the opportunity to experience the same.

This MVP speech had treasured principles, which I’m reminded to apply in my own life. It would be wonderful if more people had this kind of attitude and beliefs in their lives.

Posted on: Nov 5, 2014
Photo: © www.foxsports.com

Discussion Question:
What did you like the most from Kevin Durant’s MVP speech? What attitude or belief should you copy?