Kevin Durant will answer questions about his height differently, depending on who’s asking them.
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward revealed Tuesday to The Wall Street Journal’s Chris Herring that he wants people in the basketball world to think he’s shorter than he actually is. Durant stands at 6-foot-11 inches tall, but his NBA listings put him at 6-foot-9 — a height he believes better befits his status as a small forward.
“But really, I’ve always thought it was cool to say I’m a 6-9 small forward,” Durant said, according to Herring. “Really, that’s the prototypical size for a small forward. Anything taller than that, and they’ll start saying, ‘Ah, he’s a power forward.’”
Durant simply is following a long-standing tradition of NBA players altering their listed heights to fit the perceived needs of their positions or reputations. Bill Walton and Kevin Garnett wanted the league to believe they’re shorter than their real height. Guards J.J. Barea and Dan Dickau were listed two or three inches taller than they actually are.
However, certain times and company exist when Durant, 27, will stretch his actual height.
“For me, when I’m talking to women, I’m 7 feet,” he said. “In basketball circles, I’m 6-9.”
Basketball guys will be basketball guys, we guess.
Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
