The Legend of Coach John Wooden

"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer."

"What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player."

Now, you might think that the first 4 quotes might have come from presidents, preachers, businessmen, world leaders, or social activists... but that last one gives us insight into the most impactful, unique, and successful coach in American sports history - John Wooden. Wooden died last Friday at 99. His legend and legacy may not ever be surpassed by another coach in the sports world because of those quotes above (and many others), the way Wooden went about his business, and his reach across all walks of life.

Through his writings and teachings, John Wooden is not just a respected figure of the basketball and sports world, but almost every walk of life. Anyone that is in a leadership position can benefit from the famous Pyramid of Success. Wooden was just as knowledgeable about faith, leadership, and literature than basketball. Perhaps no other coach in the sports world has had such a sizeable positive impact on so many people. Wooden's incredible coaching numbers - 10 national titles including 7 consecutively, an 88 game winning streak, and an 885-203 record - are less significant than his teaching that will far outlast the achievements on the basketball court.

"Perform your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day."

Wooden is not only a coaching legend, but one of the legendary figures of the 20th century in America. John Wooden is one of the very few people in the sports world that can transcend athletics into everyday life... and for positive reasons - not steroids or sex scandals. John Wooden continues to be an exemplary figure for the absolute best in sports.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Compare the image of John Wooden to the image of noteworthy college coaches in the last decade. Nick Saban lying. Bobby Petrino running out of town. Mike Price and Larry Eustachy partying it up with kids. George O'Leary lying on his resume. John Calipari leaving NCAA violations and stripped Final 4 appearances wherever he goes. Our most recent example - Lane Kiffin and an ego the size of the Pacific Ocean inciting riots in Knoxville. And don't forget Dave Bliss wanting to portray a deceased player, Patrick Dennehy, as a drug dealer to cover up his misdeeds. I wonder where any of this junk is on the pyramid...

"Ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there - mental, moral, and physical."

Who's America's favorite current coach quote machine - Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Let's take a look at what he has contributed to American society...

"With all the cameras, I was looking for our new president back there. Oh, well. I think we'll meet him in the next couple of years anyway."

"If you take a swipe at one of ours, we'll take two swipes at one of yours."

"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's rings."

"I don't know this Channing Crowder. But all I know is that he's all tatted up so I need to be nervous about him."

And how could we forget this...

Of course, I'm not expecting a Wooden-like quote to be the lead story on PTI or Deadspin, but it might be nice to go back in time and have respected coaches again. And, maybe all of the coaching scandals and loudmouth soundbytes are a comment on where our world is as much as anything. In contrasting John Wooden with the current sports landscape, the appreciation for his gifts to the sports world grows substantially. Now more so than ever, it's time to appreciate the brilliance of John Wooden in celebrating his life and legacy... and maybe bring back some Woodenisms to the sports world.

"Never mistake activity for achievement."

"Be prepared and be honest."

"It isn't what you do, but how you do it."

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

The Legend of Kevin Durant

Quick. Who is the most underrated person in sports.

Is it an Olympian like Ryan Miller? Leading his country in Vancouver while playing superb hockey in Buffalo for the Sabres.

A good candidate, but Miller is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NHL already.

Is it Drew Brees? Super Bowl champion who has put up staggering numbers the past few seasons and is only now receiving the praise he deserves?

A great choice, but his appearances on Letterman and Ellen have turned him into a crossover star, no longer underrated.

Is it an anonymous potential Hall of Famer like Hanley Ramirez. Bonus points if you actually know the sport, team and position.

Maybe, but I'm not Tim Kurkjan.

No, the most underrated player in sports just finished one of the best runs his sport has ever seen. He's transformed himself into a Top 5 player in his league almost overnight. In fact, he's a leading candidate for MVP - and yet, nobody truly appreciates what he is doing, or what he might be capable of doing.

His name is Kevin Durant.

Last night his streak of 29 straight games of 25 points or more ended in San Antonio. It was another decade the last time Durant scored less than 25 points. It was the longest such streak since '86-'87 and some guy named Jordan. He only scored 21, but also had 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in a Thunder defeat.

The thing about Durant is that he's not a superstar, although he belongs in that category. The debate about the best player in the league constantly revolves around Kobe v LeBron, LeBron v Kobe. Kevin Durant only gets a conciliatory mention when speaking of MVP candidates or the best players in the league. Yet, these numbers don't lie. As a 6'9" 2 Guard, Durant is scary good. He is tied for the league lead in scoring at 29.8 PPG as a 47.9% shooter, 38.1% 3PT shooter, and 88.2% foul shooter. He shoots a better percentage across the board than Bryant, Anthony, or Wade. Only LeBron James shoots a better % than Durant from the field. The only statistical area where Durant lags behind is his 2.9 APG. Here's the major difference though between Durant and the other top players in the league though...

Kevin Durant is 21 years old and playing his 3rd year of pro ball!!!!

Durant is averaging almost 10 more PPG than Kobe Bryant in his 3rd year. LeBron James and Michael Jordan both averaged more than 30 PPG in their 3rd years, but they shot the ball much more than Durant. Jordan averaged 37.1 PPG on almost 28 shots per game while LeBron averaged 31.4 PPG on 23 shots per game. Durant's efficiency is insane. He's T1 in the league in scoring while only averaging just over 20 shots per game (James has a similar efficiency this season). While Durant lacks James' passing ability, don't you think Cleveland fans would like a little more consistency from the King's perimeter game? And, at 21 years of age, it's only going to get better from here for Durantula (I kinda like the nickname). Durant is just scraping the surface on what he is capable of doing. In his third year, he's still learning how to harness his incredible tools. His size, athleticism, and shooting ability makes him a basketball freak.

Durant is also the unquestioned #1 on a young OKC Thunder team that has far surpassed expectations. The Thunder are 10 games above .500 in the extremely tough Western Conference and Durant has his team above the likes of San Antonio, Portland, New Orleans, and Houston. (Is it a bad time to bring up that Portland passed on Durant for an injured big man now best known for having his junk seen by millions?) Durant doesn't have the all-around game that LeBron James does, and probably never will. But, we are watching the best scorer of a generation blossom before our very eyes - do we notice, or do we even care?

He doesn't have the glitz and glamour of the Lakers, the billboards and marketing bonanza of James, or the championship history of Wade. Durant isn't a vocal guy; he doesn't strike you as someone who is in a rush to get his name into the lights. Thankfully, he's not Tim Duncan either. But pay close attention to one of the best things going in sports right now. Over the next few years, Durant has the ability and potential to be one of the best basketball players who has ever lived. One day you will want to tell your grandkids that you were there to watch the legend of Kevin Durant from the beginning.