The sports media celebrate Kevin Durant for being someone he isn’t.

LeBron stood accused of disloyalty and excessive immodesty, of being bad on television in the first degree, and the only debate about the Miami Heat’s new hood ornament was whether to chase him around South Beach with a pitchfork or a torch. And Durant? He was “soft-spoken,” “congenial, respectful,” “humble, loyal.” Kevin Durant had become the national sports unicorn.

The future face of the NBA will be, or had better be … the tall skinny guy walking the mall in flip-flops. He never brings along a posse or a security guard. He usually drives there in a conversion van. He wears gym shorts just in case someone wants to play 5-on-5. His basketball and his high-tops are in the car.