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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

NBA superstar Kevin Durant delivered one of the most iconic speeches while receiving the MVP award for the 2013-14 season playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant came from very humble beginnings raised by a single mother. She has been with him every step of the way as he became one of the superstars in the league. So he credited his success to his mother Wanda Durant and called her “the real MVP.” It went viral instantly and has since become an iconic meme.

KD’s father left his family when he was just an infant. So he was raised by his single mother and grandmother. However, his father came back when he was 13 and often traveled with him to basketball tournaments. But Durant knew the struggles of his mother over the years. Durant was very tall for his age but lanky as well. Not many thought he would survive the physical aspect of the league.

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Many suggested he should lift more and put on some muscle before joining the league. However, the Slim Reaper?was not concerned with all the negative comments. After one year of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns, he declared for the NBA draft.

Kevin Durant about his mother’s say in his partners

The Seattle Supersonics selected Kevin Durant as the #2 pick of the 2007 NBA draft. The rookie hit the ground running and averaged 20 points per game and won the Rookie of the Year award comfortably. The physicality of the league did not bother him as he dominated his opponents. Next year, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma as the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, that did not stop Durant as he continued his quick development.

During the 2012-13 season, KD gave an interview where he answered some interesting questions. One such question was whether he would date someone his mother didn’t like.

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“Yeah! Because it’s all about me! I’m not saying that in a selfish way, but I can’t pass up a relationship just because someone else doesn’t like her. Your mom is always going to be your mom–she’ll always be there. It’s not like you’re a kid and disobeying her. If you really love a girl and want to be with her, nothing will hold you back,”?Durant replied.

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While he himself stated he was not being selfish, some might still consider it selfish. Over the years, Durant has dated many women. There were reports that alleged, adult film actress Lana Rhodes once suggested KD brought another girl on a date. But she did not reveal his name.

Durant came close to winning the title with the OKC Thunder in 2012 but lost it to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. However, he then joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and won two straight titles in 2017 and 2018.