Kevin Durant, the man who whispers in the ear of Achilles tendon rupture victims

Except growing up in the same state, Maryland. Kevin Durant and Justin Moore, a priori, they did not have much in common, and in fact nothing could create a very strong bond between them. One, one of the greatest forwards of all time, is slowly but surely nearing the end of his career, and the other is hoping to start his career after his varsity years at Villanova are over.

Until this evening in April 2022 changed everything. Justin Moore was in tears on the bench at the final whistle as Villanova beat Houston to advance to the March Madness Final Four. Moments earlier, in a completely innocuous act, the Wildcats winger had actually torn his Achilles tendon. A brutal injury that required a long recovery and put him on the brink of a title in the final stretch of the season (14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds) while having the best practice of his college career at the time.

The grief and pain passed, the Villanova player was able to quickly turn to the future and the rehabilitation process that awaits him. It was now-retired legendary Wildcats coach Jay Wright, who he personally called “KD” to ask his player for advice, whom he knew from his various campaigns with Team USA.

” You will come back stronger than before, I assure you” He turned on Durant hour Justin Moore is still recovering and has yet to play this season. ” But he told me to take my time. He inspired me a lot.” The Villanova winger continues. “Having one of the best players in our sport tell me there’s nothing to worry about has given me a renewed sense of optimism. »

” I just wanted him to know I was there for him Nets confirm winger. ” His career has not yet begun. I’m almost done! Then I could retire. Therefore, I am ready to understand his psychological state and questions about the future. So I tried to calm him down and let him know that he can come back and that ultimately it’s just a psychological block that needs to be overcome. »

Kevin Durant, the new Dominique Wilkins

This Dominic Wilkins himself who says that and he knows what he’s talking about. We recall that the former Falcons icon managed to return to action after tearing his Achilles tendon in January 1992… just 9 months later! Like Kevin Durant, maintaining the same level in his return.

” When you hear about Achilles tendon injuries in the NBA, this is the first name that comes to mind. “Also provides ‘KD’.” A ball player who can bounce back and return to pre-injury level. So it was definitely a motivation and an inspiration that I can do the same. »

At the time… the native of Paris was therefore a role model and moral support for those suffering from the same injury. Almost three decades later, he sees Kevin Durant as his successor, in that regard.

” Durant took that responsibility, he became the spokesperson for the injury. So, in a way, this is a transfer of power. We are very similar in this respect. “Human Highlight Film” is judged by the judges.

It is not Clay Thompson will say otherwise, but he was brutally marred by that injury early in the 2020 school year when he recovered from a torn left knee cruciate ligament. Earlier this week, “Bouncing Brother” rightly paid tribute to Dominique Wilkins after he turned in his best game since coming back for a 54-point performance against the Hawks.

” This is huge for my confidence He credited the Warriors’ backs with that performance. ” I spoke to Dominique Wilkins before the game, telling him that he was a big inspiration for him to come back after ten years in the league. I thought of him when I had moments of doubt that I didn’t know I would ever come back. »

Before recalling the importance of former teammate Durant along this crossroads. ” When you see a guy like him come back every night and score 30 points like he’s never injured, it’s a morale booster and it gives you the confidence to keep working. Thompson concludes.