Durant to Knicks, Kyrie To Nets? “Shaft” Stars Chime In On New York Allure
Two weeks ago at the Intersport Brand Summit in Chicago, Rich Kleinman, Kevin Durant’s Manager and Business Partner, was asked if an athlete needed to be in New York to be a business success. His response was simple and a bit cryptic for those fans of the Orange and Blue: “Name one athlete in New York who is a global brand.” Ouch. So with free agency approaching, is New York going to be home for the elite free agents this year? Some of the cast of “Shaft,” who are in New York this week readying for the opening of the latest version of the film series, chimed in on the value of New York and whether they thought Kyrie, KD and crew were heading to Gotham.
“If you are an actor and you need to establish yourself, you do your time in LA with film and TV and you spend your time in New York, finding roles in the stage, even in Soaps, to build your career, we have all done it, and it is what can make you,” legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson said Saturday during the film junket. “In sports, New York is still the mecca, but you look at KD and Steph at Golden State, Harden in Houston, Kawhi and what’s happening in Toronto, Lilliard in Portland and so on and you see that they are household names way away from New York. Now Spike maybe wants them here, but do they have to be here, seems like they are doing ell everywhere else. If they can win here it would make a career, but do they have to? It’s not like acting. ”
Jackson’s costar, Jesse T. Usher, also knows a thing or two about hoops, having starred in Survivor’s Remorse for four season’s as a young basketball star dealing with the complexities of pro ball. Usher, who grew up following the Wizards in Maryland, spent time around the Hollywood side of LeBron James while working on the STARZ series, and actually became close with another free agent to be, Kyrie Irving, while working on the role. Does he see Kyrie coming to New York, or for that matter, the new favorite, Brooklyn?
“I just want to see him win. If that means going to New York then I’m all for it, if that means going to LA then I’m all for that too,” he said. “He’s just such a good player and can make an impact on any city or franchise he goes too. It would definitely be helpful for most players, New York is one of the biggest sports markets and they all do well for the most part and for Kyrie I think it would be a good move.”
As far as KD landing across the river, Usher seemed to echo Kleinman’s statement a few weeks ago. “He could go to New York which could be great for both Durant and the Knicks, but I don’t think he is going to end up there.”
While “Shaft” and its action thriller scenes in and around New York will soon be delighting the adrenaline loving, cool following sports fans, it seems like the stars of the film may be cold on New York free agency predictions, at least for Madison Square Garden. Then again, there is no script in free agency success, which is probably good thing for New York hoops fans to hold on to.
