The annual NBA rookie survey is always a fun thing to examine, if only to see what the rookies think of their fellow first-year players. But the survey is also illustrative of the current zeitgeist of youth basketball, specifically when it comes to the popularity of older players. In this year’s survey, rookies were asked to name their favorite NBA player. Kevin Durant came in first with 21.2 percent of the vote, followed by Kobe Bryant with 18.2 percent and LeBron James with 15.2 percent. While KD reigned supreme last year as well, he did so with a slightly higher percentage – 25 percent.
Just two years ago, Kobe was the top choice, which just goes to show how quickly things can change in the NBA. A lot of these players grew up with Kobe, so it makes sense that he’d be among their favorites, but as they’ve progressed through the basketball ranks, KD has risen in popularity and status.
As for the reason behind Durant’s slight decline, that one’s easy. Skyrocketing up from nary a mention last year to a tie for fourth this year is none other than the MVP, Steph Curry. Unlike LeBron, Kobe or even KD, the rookies didn’t grow up watching Curry. Yet they were witnesses to his meteoric rise to the top of the league this year, and the entertaining fashion in which he did it, so it makes sense that he’d be right up there with the rest of those hallowed names.
The question now is: Does Curry’s ascendence continue, or will a bounce-back season from KD see him keep his place at the top?
(NBA)
