FEATURE: TSL’s 5-on-5: Was KD Lying About Russ?

featuring Sandy Dover for The Shadow League

Durant has to show a sign of emphatic support for Russy, for two main reasons: 1) Westbrook is very sensitive to how the media criticizes his game, and his game is driven partly by how much approval he receives (remember how tight and unsure he was at times before he got his extension); 2) KD knows that if he can inspire unyielding confidence from within Westbrook, it may empower his teammate to go to new heights, and the only way the Thunder go anywhere is if they go to new heights.

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Feature: TSL 5-on-5 – Black Protectionism In Sports

featuring Sandy Dover for The Shadow League

African Americans have long practiced individual opinion, but context means everything. Terrell Owens is a jerk and a bad teammate, and ALL people give it to him. Michael Vick and Cam Newton are great talents with so-so teammates, but THEY become pariahs by comparison to others who have worse fortune. That’s why many African American fans unify. It’s a matter of context. The sports realm is littered with fear and prejudice.

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