The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis: Kevin Durant on Warriors-Suns trade veto, Steph Curry & BEST NBA era, 1v1 Tourney & His Future

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: The Draymond Green Show w/Baron Davis: Kevin Durant on Warriors-Suns Trade Veto, Steph Curry & Best NBA Era, 1v1 Tourney & His Future
Release Date: February 26, 2025

Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Draymond Green Show, Draymond Green and Baron Davis engage in an insightful conversation with NBA superstar Kevin Durant. The discussion delves deep into Durant's career decisions, perspectives on the evolving NBA landscape, his relationships with teammates like Stephen Curry, and his thoughts on the future of basketball.

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Kevin Durant’s Career Reflections

[04:15] Kevin Durant:
"I always looked up to those Hoopers, those older dudes in the gym, who were of service to the game... that's how I always felt every time I stepped on the court."

Durant begins by reflecting on his upbringing and the influences that shaped his professional ethos. He emphasizes the importance of being of service to the game, showcasing humility and dedication from his early days in the league.

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Evolution of the NBA Era

[12:00] Kevin Durant:
"I love this era ball, man. It's just free-flowing, it's a lot of space to work... the amount of athleticism and skill that you see in the league from all positions now, it's just crazy."

Durant expresses his admiration for the current NBA style, highlighting the increased emphasis on three-point shooting and player versatility. He contrasts this with past eras, noting that the modern game allows for greater individual expression and team dynamics.

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Efficiency vs. Volume in Shooting

[13:24] Kevin Durant:
"There's a double-edged sword to all of that. When it's great though, it's like the peak of basketball. But when it's bad, we have to live with both sides."

The conversation shifts to the trade-off between shooting volume and efficiency. Durant advocates for a balanced approach, where players prioritize high-percentage shots over sheer volume, ensuring consistency without sacrificing offensive potency.

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Trade Veto: Warriors-Suns Scenario

[15:34] Kevin Durant:
"I want my career to end on my terms. That's the only thing I'm worried about."

Addressing rumors of a potential mid-season trade to the Warriors or Suns, Durant emphasizes his desire for autonomy in his career decisions. He underscores the complexities and disruptions that mid-season trades can cause, advocating for stability and thoughtful team transitions during the offseason.

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Chemistry with Teammates

[38:56] Kevin Durant:
"When I got back on the floor with Steph as a teammate, that first few games, it was like that non-verbal connection... that's from all those years playing together."

Durant highlights the seamless chemistry he shares with Stephen Curry, attributing it to years of collaboration both in the NBA and internationally with Team USA. This synergy enhances their on-court performance, allowing for intuitive plays and mutual understanding without extensive communication.

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Future Plans and Retirement Considerations

[41:27] Stephen Curry:
"You still love just playing basketball. Is there some chance you go get five Olympic gold medals in LA?"

[41:49] Kevin Durant:
"Yeah, there is a chance. I want to hoop if I go out... I want to be counted on to play minutes and knock down shots to help the team."

Durant opens up about contemplating the later stages of his career. He expresses a desire to retire gracefully, ensuring that he remains a valuable asset on the court until the very end. Durant envisions continuing to compete at a high level, potentially contributing to Team USA in future Olympics held in his hometown of Los Angeles.

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Impact on the NBA and Player Empowerment

[65:04] Kevin Durant:
"Coaches and organizations are starting to understand that fitting around their best players is crucial... that's what I love about the game."

The discussion delves into the increasing empowerment of players in shaping team strategies. Durant praises the shift towards building teams around star players, allowing for more personalized and effective basketball philosophies that leverage individual talents.

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Suggestions for Improving the Game

[62:40] Kevin Durant:
"Only the players can grow the game. Rule changes won't matter if the players don't execute."

[63:19] Draymond Green:
"Coaching is the one thing that could improve."

Durant advocates for organic growth driven by player development and adaptability rather than superficial rule changes. He, along with Green, suggests that innovative coaching strategies and diverse team philosophies are essential for the continued evolution and enjoyment of basketball.

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Closing Remarks and Legacy

[43:40] Kevin Durant:
"I want to be respected as one of the guys that pour back into the younger generation... compete on that level with them too."

As the conversation wraps up, Durant speaks about his legacy, emphasizing mentorship and respect within the basketball community. He aspires to be remembered not just for his on-court achievements but also for his contributions to the development of future generations.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Kevin Durant on Service to the Game:
  [04:15] "I always looked up to those Hoopers, those older dudes in the gym, who were of service to the game..."

• Durant on Current NBA Style:
  [12:00] "I love this era ball, man. It's just free-flowing, it's a lot of space to work..."

• On Shooting Efficiency:
  [13:24] "There's a double-edged sword to all of that. When it's great though, it's like the peak of basketball..."

• Trade Decision Autonomy:
  [15:34] "I want my career to end on my terms. That's the only thing I'm worried about."

• Chemistry with Curry:
  [38:56] "When I got back on the floor with Steph as a teammate, that first few games, it was like that non-verbal connection..."

• Retirement and Future Competitions:
  [41:49] "Yeah, there is a chance. I want to hoop if I go out... I want to be counted on to play minutes and knock down shots to help the team."

• Player Empowerment and Team Building:
  [65:04] "Coaches and organizations are starting to understand that fitting around their best players is crucial..."

• Growing the Game:
  [62:40] "Only the players can grow the game. Rule changes won't matter if the players don't execute."

• Legacy and Mentorship:
  [43:40] "I want to be respected as one of the guys that pour back into the younger generation... compete on that level with them too."

---

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth look into Kevin Durant's mindset and experiences in the NBA. From his reflections on personal growth and team dynamics to his perspectives on the league's evolution and player empowerment, Durant provides valuable insights into the sport's present and future. The chemistry among Durant, Green, and Curry adds a layer of authenticity and camaraderie, making this episode a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of the game's intricacies.

Transcript

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[Draymond Green]

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[Draymond Green]

Ask for O'Reilly Veriscan today. O'REILLY AUTO PARTS hey, it's Alec Baldwin. This past season on my podcast, here's the Thing, I spoke with more actors, musicians, policymakers and so many other fascinating people like writer and actor Dan Aykroyd.

[Kevin Durant]

I love writing more than anything. You're left alone, you know, you do.

[Stephen Curry]

Three hours in the morning, you write three hours in the afternoon.

[Baron Davis]

Go pick up a kid from school.

[Kevin Durant]

And write at night. And after nine hours you come out with seven pages and then you're moving on.

[Draymond Green]

Listen to here's the thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Kevin Durant]

The Volume.

[Stephen Curry]

What'S up everybody? Welcome back to the Draymond Green show with my brother Baron Davis. Bd what's happening?

[Draymond Green]

What's up big dawg? How you feeling?

[Stephen Curry]

I'm great brother. I'm great. We have a very special episode for you today. We also have more guests coming onto the pod, so make sure you subscribe to the Draymond Green show with Baron Davis so you don't miss any episodes.

[Draymond Green]

And the non guest episodes will be fired too. Since we're in the second half of the season. So follow the show on all social media platforms. That's Draymond show, so you don't miss none of these great announcements.

[Stephen Curry]

Now introducing our next guest. We have a special, special special guest today. One of the goats, for sure. Top 75 in the NBA. All time. Four time Olympic gold medalist. Mr. USA himself, NBA MVP, two time NBA champion, two time NBA Finals MVP.

[Draymond Green]

15 time All Star, the smooth operator. 11 time All NBA team member, rookie of the year. Arsenal of weaponry, right? The chef and a sous chef, right? Cutlery tools everywhere on the floor. None other than the world famous legend in the making and continue, Kevin Durant.

[Kevin Durant]

Oh, man. Appreciate that intro, man. Hell of an intro, fellas.

[Stephen Curry]

Hell of a R. I mean, damn.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, dog. God damn, this crazy res.

[Stephen Curry]

Crazy. I be feeling good about my little resume. Here we go.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, that. Whoa.

[Stephen Curry]

Definitely one of the best to ever touch a basketball.

[Kevin Durant]

Appreciate it, man.

[Draymond Green]

Sure. It's an honor, man. Honor to have you on the show. There's a gift of Draymond talking to you in your ear that's widely used. Do you remember what Draymond was talking about in that moment just to kick the show off?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, I get asked that question a lot, man. Everybody want to know what he was saying. I don't remember word for word, but it was. He was more so gassing me up more so than anything. Like, they can't with me. Can't stop y'all. He was gassing me up for sure. I see my. The excitement as he kept talking in my eyes, you know, I kept start smiling a bit.

[Stephen Curry]

And he started cooking.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, start. And I kept cooking that part.

[Stephen Curry]

Bd, you know what I was telling him? He told the world. I was just telling him the same thing.

[Kevin Durant]

You. You.

[Stephen Curry]

You know who you are.

[Kevin Durant]

You can't used to do that shit a lot.

[Stephen Curry]

That's who you are.

[Draymond Green]

And then that shit feel good, though.

[Stephen Curry]

Hey, that's gotta play that role, man. You know kd one of them humble superstars, bro. Like, KD is like the nigga who you walk down the street and you like, that's my homie. Like, probably one of the most approachable superstars around. And so I think when I'm on the court with him, sometimes it's like he'll allow that same approach. And I'm like, nah, bro. Like, they not good enough, and they can't approach you. You know what I'm saying? I'm gonna remind you of that because in my role, that's the type of time I need you on, like, at Them at all times. And that same demeanor is why he is who he is, you know what I'm saying? But also being able to just flip the switch like he can. Crazy. But every shot open, bruh. Seven feet. So every shot he shoot is open.

[Draymond Green]

It's crazy on any court. I mean, for me, just, you know, watching the come up. It's all about what you do when you at your peak, when you at the moment. So where all eyes on you. And he never stopped hooping, where all the Hoopers was. You know, if you really fuck with hooping, you a real Hooper, you gone show up. Where you supposed to show up? Showing up at the Rucker. He came out here, he blessed me with the LA Unified game. Like he played the whole game. But to embrace that next generation and to show where they show up at your superstar level, at your MVP level, like you can't say nothing else. I watched that and I say kudos to you for that. Because ultimately, that's what's carrying you now is that spirit that like, all right, we showing up. Oh, we hooping. Like, I already know. I'm the top dog out here. You feel what I'm saying?

[Kevin Durant]

I always looked up to them Hoopers, them older dudes in the gym, who was of service to the game, you know what I'm saying? They in there working on their game. They in there helping the youngsters work on their game. They teaching the young dudes how to be a pro. Always admired that attitude and that approach, you know what I'm saying? And that's how I always felt every time I stepped on the court, even as a young player, that I need to be of service to the game, go out there and be coachable, work hard as I can in every drill, try to play to win every time I'm on the court, be a good teammate. So I always thought about that when I played. And I was inspired by a lot of the older dudes in the gym, random dudes in the gym that probably ain't even play high school college ball, but just their approach to the game. I appreciate it.

[Stephen Curry]

Out of all the places that you've shown up in hoop, like you said, Rocca drew league. Out of all the places you've shown up in hoop, what would you say your top three experiences were like outside of the NBA, just like you go play at the park next door. Like, out of all of those places, what would you say your top two or three was? Of experiences like in hoop and.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, I would say that first time, like after my Rookie season, it was probably like a week had passed. We had just. We had just played our last game our rookie year. And I went down to the Goodman League that first time as a pro, full season, probably. And I had 62 that game. But the dude I was playing against had like 52. Rest in peace. God bless his soul. He passed away. He was. He actually played high D1 too. He was a good player. So. And it's online, but that. That back and forth was like, legendary in our city, you know, that was a memorable time, I would say that time. And then the first time I went to the Drew, it was the Drew before. And the gym where it's at now.

[Draymond Green]

Yep.

[Kevin Durant]

What's the name of that first gym.

[Draymond Green]

That was in Washington Park?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, that one. And I played three games that day. They. They said, like, you can't just. You can't play on different.

[Draymond Green]

You know, you can't be hopping on team.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, but I'm like, man, I'm just trying to hoop today, man. It was a lockout, so they let me play on three teams. I think that first game I played with Demar and them, I think that was your. I don't know. It was the game Demar. I forget who else was on the team. And I had threw it off the glass and dunked it.

[Draymond Green]

Yep.

[Kevin Durant]

And the crowd went stupid. And that's why I was like, yeah, this LA basketball, this is what I wanted to. This is that feeling I wanted when I wanted to come out here and hoop. That's why I moved to LA in the off season, just to get that a different level of hoop, you know, I hooped and did everything in D.C. you know, outdoors and every gym. I was like, I need something else. And I heard about how great the hoop was in la, so I moved out there. And that was kind of like my first time getting out.

[Draymond Green]

Now you was killing playing.

[Kevin Durant]

I mean, so that was. That was a good. That was a memorable time. And then the Rucker obviously was legend.

[Draymond Green]

That was crazy.

[Kevin Durant]

That's always been a legendary court, you know what I'm saying? So those really gave me the same feeling that I felt in like an NBA game almost.

[Stephen Curry]

And you also spoke about just how you are steward to the game number one. Congratulations, bro, on 30,000 points.

[Draymond Green]

Congrats.

[Stephen Curry]

That's a lot of buckets. I still ain't reached 10 yet, but I'm gonna get there one day maybe. But I saw Ja gave you that ball, Joa being a young fella and Nike, you know, what was that like? Just for you to share that moment with like Ja Gon, you know, he keep doing what he doing, he gonna be a legend in his own right one day.

[Kevin Durant]

Exactly. I mean, it was, it was special. It kind of, it kind of fell on that day we playing against that team, you know, him and Jaren Jackson and Bane. I got a lot of respect for those young dudes and they always compete hard and show me respect too. And so to play against them and for Ja to hand me the ball, somebody I, you know, been following since he was at Mary State and we kind of had a little relationship as well as he's coming up in the league. So it was sweet, man. You know, I really respect how hard the younger generation plays and how much they respect the game. A lot of people don't say that about the young dudes, but these dudes, they know their history and they actually respect the game and I appreciate that about them. And they hard workers too, you know what I'm saying? So try to do my part by going out there and staying at that level that I'm at and competing hard against them. And they know it's not no cakewalk when they see me. I think that's a part of being who I am. And being the older dude in the league is playing hard against them too. And you know, and leaving the game, they respect it, you know what I'm saying? They want to see how you are right now. All that shit you did before is cool, but they don't care about that. They want to see who you are tonight. And so they keep me on that level of that standard that I want to keep myself at. They help with that, you know, almost.

[Draymond Green]

You played in two different decades. You seen the game evolve, you've seen the style of play evolve. Can you talk about just eras? Which era for you was like the most exciting? And then being a vet in this new era, what does it feel like being like, damn, dude, I wish I was my younger self.

[Kevin Durant]

I mean, I love this era ball, man. Cause it's just, it's free flowing, it's a lot of space to work. We encourage to shoot more shots, to shoot deep threes. Like people talk about the players a lot about this three point shooting, but they don't realize how much our coaches encourage us to shoot threes.

[Draymond Green]

That's crazy. That's crazy.

[Kevin Durant]

We might have a film session strictly on like, we need more threes up, you know what I'm saying? So it's like having that encouragement from your coach to be aggressive, to shoot and to score is, is definitely better for me in this era. I mean, the past eras were cool too. I got the freedom to shoot whenever I want, but my teammates then had that confidence. It's a little different. So now everybody feeling like they got confidence to go out there and score. That makes it easier for everybody. So I enjoy this era a little bit more just for that simple fact. And it's just the amount of athleticism and skill that you see in the league from all positions now, it's just crazy to see, you know what I'm saying? So evolution, it was fun to play in it and see it, you know, in real time.

[Stephen Curry]

As someone though, who doesn't like, you'll get 40 points for two and attempt two threes. As somebody who can shoot the piss out of the three ball but doesn't necessarily shoot a bunch of them. Do you think some guys being so confident to shoot sometimes become a problem for these teams though?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, for sure, for sure. There's plenty of times where you might have to. You could have turned that one down and got something better. Instead you pulling this three over contest and you 0 for 5 for the night. It's definitely a double edged sword to all of that. I mean, because when it's great though, it's like the peak of basketball. But when it's bad, we got to live with both sides of that. But it's. But players could turn down some of those threes, especially if you're not hot, you know what I'm saying? To find a better shot or maybe get closer to the rim. Yeah. But overall I think it's pushed the game to new heights as a vet.

[Draymond Green]

Dude, do you find yourself when you talking to the young guys saying like, man, when I was your age. And then thinking about like actually when you were their age in this era, like what would the Golden State Warrior, you know, OKC Durantula look like playing against these young dudes you'd be talking shit to every night? Because you be barking at him though. I didn't know. I didn't know you bark like that. Oh, you be barking at him?

[Kevin Durant]

No.

[Draymond Green]

So I wonder what's your thoughts?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, man, I think that up the level of the game when you're engaged like that, I think, I think more so than anything my mentality as I got older, I wish I was thinking a little bit like this when I was younger. Whereas coming into the game I was superstitious early on when I come into the, I felt like everything had to be right for me to play well. I was just overthinking a lot of things out there. I think as I got older, more experience and you reach some success. You kind of relax a bit on, like, you know, just let the game come to you and play your game instead of trying to force things, you know what I'm saying? And you know exactly when you need to press the issue and when you don't. I think as a young player, you just always pressing the issue, trying to figure it out, and I would have more bad games than I would want to at that age now, you know, I'm not playing. You know, I might shoot it bad, you know, every once in a while, you know what I'm saying? So I just feel more relaxed coming into the games, making me execute a little better. So I wish I had that mentality early on in my career, but it worked out either way.

[Draymond Green]

A few weeks ago, you said you didn't want to be traded in the middle of the season, which is why you didn't come to the warriors, which I thought was going to happen. I was at the game, I was like, oh, man, KD came over here. He showed me love. I was like, oh, we about to get kd. Do you want your career to end in Phoenix, Man?

[Kevin Durant]

I want my career to end on my terms. That's the only thing.

[Draymond Green]

Bingo.

[Kevin Durant]

That's the only thing I'm worried about, you know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

That's all that matter.

[Kevin Durant]

Because I see a lot of dudes that don't get that opportunity, you know what I'm saying? So I want to keep putting in that work to, you know, make that choice on my own. But as far as the Warriors, I just didn't think it was, you know, and then I didn't want to move. And then as a player like me, I just. I cost a lot. I cost. I mean, me going into your team is gonna make just a. It's gonna be a whole new era of your team when I get to your team, you know what I'm saying? So. And that's a lot of work and.

[Draymond Green]

Change through the season.

[Kevin Durant]

Like, I'm still of value, you know what I'm saying? Especially in my contract and just my. In production that me just getting up and moving in the middle of season, it's gonna be a big blow to any team I'm going to, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, I get why y'all want to trade me. And, you know, when y'all looking at it just from simple fact, that's just business. But from me looking at it, I'm just like, it just don't make sense for either side right now to go. Go through that. You know what I'm saying? When we just play the season out, and if that's the decision you want to make, you know, in the off season, then, you know, you figure it out so bad. It's just such a big change to Megan. I've been through it before. I was like, damn, that's not really it.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, it ain't the right move, like.

[Kevin Durant]

To be able in the middle of.

[Draymond Green]

The season and all that. 26 games left, you know, if I.

[Kevin Durant]

Can'T stop it, then why not? You know what I'm saying? But I. And then the narratives that's going to come with all that shit. It was just like, you know, you don't want to go stay there. You don't want to go play with Draymond no more. You don't want to. The narrative got in your way. You don't want to go back. I was like, yeah, that shit is annoying. I don't like it. But I can play under, like, you don't know what, like, the type of shit that people say about me, I could play under the noise. It's a simple fact that, like, it's no need. I didn't feel like it was a need to, you know, make that big of a change right now. It didn't make sense to me, so I tried to. I'm glad it was, you know. And look, look, look what y'all doing right now, Dre. Y'all looking good, Jimmy. And then you still got Camino on the way back, you know what I'm saying? So I didn't think it made sense.

[Stephen Curry]

Absolutely. No. I think a lot of people don't realize what you going through that in Phoenix of the midnight hour. Trade Bridges, leave. Um, I think Aiden left.

[Kevin Durant]

No. Cam Johnson.

[Stephen Curry]

Cam Johnson. Bridges. Cam Johnson. Those were big gaps, you know what I'm saying? To try to fill those holes, right? You make that move in the off season, there may be a third team you can get involved or different stuff where you don't have to deplete your whole team during the middle of the season, that is very tough to do. And I don't think people realize. And then, like you said, also being at your age, like, I think everybody still look at you like you a spring chicken because of the way you play. So you still hooping at the same level, but you're set in your life and in your ways. At this age to just up and leave, that is a lot like for Jimmy, Jimmy needed that, you know what I'm saying? Like, Jimmy needed a change. That was a different thing. But, you know, if he didn't want that change before, which is probably why he was never traded before, because y'all do have that type of power to say nah. And no franchise ultimately want to disrespect guys like y'all, because if they do, how do you ever get another one?

[Kevin Durant]

Exactly. Exactly. And then I just want to see it through, you know, when you commit to something in a season like that and it's like everybody's still nobody's like big injuries, like everybody's in the lineup and like, you know what I'm saying? I'm trying to figure, see this through to the end and see what we can really do with it, you know what I'm saying? So. And I feel like I'm committed to my coaches and teammates and I want to see it through. So, man, I wanted to lock in on that.

[Baron Davis]

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[Kevin Durant]

The more you listen to your kids, the closer you'll be. So we asked kids, what do you want your parents to hear? I feel sometimes that I'm not listened to. I would just want you to listen to me more often and evaluate situations with me and lead me towards success. Listening is a form of love. Find resources to help you support your kids and their emotional well [e-mail] that's sounditouttogether.org brought to you by the ad.

[Katherine Legge]

Council and pivotal hey you guys, I'm Katherine Legge. I'm a racing driver who's literally driven everything with four wheels across the planet. And I've got a new podcast, it's called Throttle Therapy. This season I'm gearing up to make history, competing in some of the world's most notorious racing events, starting at the Indy 500. Join me as I travel from racetrack to racetrack in my quest to continue a memorable career in racing. I'm also going to bring you inside stories with legends of sports, new faces from the next generation of auto racing, and conversations with the people who've supported me throughout my career. We'll be getting into everything from karting to nascar, even Formula one. Whether you dream about being a pro athlete or an astronaut, we're talking about what it takes to make it. Listen to Throttle Therapy with Katherine Legge, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alec Baldwin]

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Stephen Curry]

I love it. I think I feel like y'all have a good team, man. Y'all, we've obviously, every time we play, it's a battle. I always tell people, man, when I. When I play against you last night against Klay, play Kyrie, right? Like, play against Bron. Like, bro, when we play those games, man, it's just like, the level of play, the level of thinking that is amongst us when we're playing those games, like, that's when I had the most fun. That's why I was saying All Star Weekend, when I said the game is born, what I said it after that was because we played Brian last week, and I'm waiting for him to slightly turn his head that way so I can go help over. Because if I lean this way and he ain't turned his head yet, he getting that pass through, there's a dunk, right? Like, people don't understand the level we be at when we're playing against each other. And it always take me back to the matchups. Like, regardless of how great we were when you were here, we still had to play chess against Bron in order to beat him.

[Kevin Durant]

For sure. For sure.

[Stephen Curry]

And so I feel like we don't get a bunch of that now. Like, I get that when I play against you, where I feel like every second, like, you see how locked in when I play every second, I have to be locked in on the defensive possession, because if I let up for one minute, that's all you need is a split second. And I also think, though, okay, that's why you, Steph, Bron, Jimmy, that's why y'all still playing at such a high level, because I also don't think these younger guys realize when guarding y'all, how they have to be on every second. Do you see some of that? Am I off?

[Kevin Durant]

No, you right. I feel like when you've been through some of the battles, though, that we've been through in the playoffs and those moments that you've been through, yeah, the younger dudes haven't experienced that. Whereas coaching is out the way, schemes is out the way, and it's all about the will, the talent, and the cerebral game, you know what I'm saying? In many playoffs games where it's like, all right, dawg, they know everything. Every play we running, we know every play they running. And most of the time, just gonna Be like, who can beat their man and who can guard their man.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

You know what I'm saying? And so most of them times, it's just like, you see, when we play Cleveland, it's all right. Who can Braun pick on? You know what I'm saying? And how can we. All right, you wanna try to get Steph up there. All right, Steph gonna run up this screen, but I'm gonna make sure I try to trail him as much as I can to switch him off the screen to waste a little bit of y'all time. So by the time you try to get Steph up there, it's four, five seconds on the clock. That's the type of thinking we was on timing those games. When coach is not in the way, schemes, not in the way. We know all of that stuff now. Let's just go hoop. The younger dudes gonna get there. You never. You know, they might get that experience, they might not. But we've been through those battles against, not just Bron, but just even guys that haven't won. Playing against the spurs, playing against the Memphis Grizzlies, you know what I'm saying? Playing against the Clippers, the Lob City Clippers, this is like going to game six and seven with these teams, like.

[Stephen Curry]

We was going to y'all in OKC Houston. These games was hard as hell, man.

[Kevin Durant]

And it wasn't a lot of sweeps. It was. It was game six, game sevens. You know what I'm saying?

[Stephen Curry]

Absolutely.

[Kevin Durant]

Like, when you thinking on that level, when it's past coaching, when it's past all of that, when it's just y'all on the floor controlling the game, that's the level. So when you see guys that been on that level before, you, Kyrie, Steph, even, I would say, J.T. now, he played a lot of playoff games.

[Stephen Curry]

Yeah, J.T.

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely.

[Stephen Curry]

Jalen Brown.

[Kevin Durant]

Jalen Brown, I would say Giannis played a lot of playoff games, you know what I'm saying? They know is that level of detail late in the season that you gotta play with, you know what I'm saying? So I think the young dude's gonna get to that point. You see an ant play a few. He got some playoff games under his belt, he gonna get there, you know what I'm saying? So. And once they reach that level, I think that's when you'll start to see, you know what I mean, that get that feeling again.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, it's trial and error. And I always say basketball is timing. However much time you can consume, however much time you can disrupt as a defender for an offensive person. It's really, you know, you get in these intricate moments where you have to be just as smart as the person that you're going up against. Right?

[Kevin Durant]

Exactly.

[Draymond Green]

Man, talk about just your mentality down the stretch. You know, I'm looking at the pedigree. I'm looking at the accolades. I'm trying to like, what. What is the unlock? Right? What? What? Like, what the hell are you thinking?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

When it's like, oh, okay, it's time for me to go five levels up.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah. I try to relax as much as possible and stick to the fundamentals. I don't want to try no dare shot. I mean, no heat check shots late in the game. You know what I'm saying? I try to stay away from those. So I just try to keep it at the fundamentals, find them places on the court where I know I'm gonna knock those shots down or get a good shot up. And most of the time when I'm thinking like that in the fourth, I got some success. You know what I'm saying? And then I had times where I'm rushing and I want it so bad. I want to win so bad, and then I'm rushing shots, and now I'm missing, and now we lose the game. But all of that stuff is, you know, trial and error, like you said. You learn from it. And what was a common denominator for me is just if I relax late in the game and approach it just like I approached the first quarter, then it was easier for me.

[Stephen Curry]

Unless the year is 2017 or 2018, and you get the ball to that left hand on the left coming in, and the left. Left quad, you know, that left slot area, and you walking into her from 37ft. Unless. Unless it's that. And he in Cleveland, Ohio. Unless it's that situation. Oh, man, he wound taking the Lecheck shot.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, hey, he wound that one up.

[Kevin Durant]

Let's start with a dagger. The dagger. All right. I might pull that motherfucker from deep.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, man, I had to run out the studio on that one. That was one of them. Oh, I had to run out the studio and flex on everybody. We was watching that live.

[Stephen Curry]

I see that coming. K, go right to left. He put that ball in that left hand. Oh, you dead against Dre.

[Kevin Durant]

He gonna jam that left hand.

[Stephen Curry]

Every time I see the ball on that left, I gotta press out. You gotta beat me, bro. Cause once he get into the shot, there's nothing you can do.

[Draymond Green]

You can't do it he jumping forward.

[Stephen Curry]

And he's seven feet and the ball up here. So you get no good contest. Once he get into the shot, the best you gonna do, you're gonna foul. And with the rhythm he have on that shot, even if you foul, he making it.

[Kevin Durant]

I feel good. That rhythm. You gotta jam me early if you wanna see that shot away, man.

[Draymond Green]

Cause I did have an honor playing with, you know, playing against you. I like just the progression. I was telling the story where, you know, my claim to fame against KD is, you know, kd. I picked you, like, three times.

[Kevin Durant]

Oh, bro, you switching everything and you.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, bro, he was coming off the switch. I was like. I was jamming that left hand, too. Come back the end of the season. Remember the end of the season? I don't know what. I don't know what you was on, but you was mad as hell. He started coming with the cross. Boom, pulling up. I said, okay, dude, my number of years are short. Cause he played it, too. He played it, too.

[Stephen Curry]

I got.

[Draymond Green]

It's me and Monte out here.

[Kevin Durant]

I was, too, that rookie year. I remember that game. That was my last game. Game about rookie season.

[Stephen Curry]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

Oh, man, you was killing.

[Kevin Durant]

I'm like, these dudes. I was like, these dudes is tough, man. They switching everything. They. They was the first small ball team that I'm like, man, they could have played in this area where they played with y'all. Harrington.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

And y'all just switched all them actions, and I had to play y'all one on one, and y'all was 50. Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

Nah. That last game, boy you put on, we was like, damn. I remember Jack came up to you. I came up to you. It was like, damn, bro.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

Ain't nobody. Nobody gonna be able to. Nelly was like, guard. I was like, man, we can't guard him. Get out of here. It's over, dog. Season over. Dub Nation. What up? Got some questions coming out from Dub Nation. Do you think people are still mad at you for playing with the Warriors?

[Kevin Durant]

I mean, I'm sure some people not gonna, like, let it go. I want to say they mad. They still angry about it, but I don't think they're gonna forget that. That I went to the warriors, you know what I'm saying? That's gonna always be a talking point when it comes to my career, but I don't give a shit. We did some incredible things, and we. Some of the most fun times of my life moving around as a Warrior, so there's gonna be people that love it. There's gonna be people that hate it, man. But at the end of the day, it happened and it was great.

[Draymond Green]

And we happy it did. Cause it created a dynasty, man. Got to see you at the peak of your career and your moment. And so when you think about when time passed and people are like, damn, bro, like, we wish this would have stayed together for, you know, three, four more years.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, they gonna say that. They gonna say that. But when they should just be, you know, going back so they can learn.

[Stephen Curry]

Yeah, that part. Listen, man, you hear people say that shit all the time. And the reality is 2015 to 2019 is, in my opinion, the best era of NBA basketball. The best five year stretch of NBA basketball, in my opinion. But regardless if that's your opinion or not, you may say, oh, it was the show. Talent is somewhere in the top three, which, the amount of guys that's coming to the NBA, that's a big deal. And you coming to the warriors elevated it so much to where. That's why it became that. It doesn't become that. We never really experienced the era of basketball we experienced had you not came to the Warriors. That's actually what elevated the game. Cause it elevated teams. Because then all of a sudden it was like, oh, whoa, wait, we gotta build to be them and that dude. It elevated the team. It elevated skill sets. I think it elevated so much, in my opinion.

[Kevin Durant]

No, I agree, I agree. And as I was making that decision to leave okc, it was like, all right, if I stay in okc, I think I'm passing up on something so incredible that I don't know if I could just pass this up. This ain't. This is a regular opportunity. That's how I was feeling. And I didn't know exactly how it would play out, obviously, but it just felt like this would be a huge, huge shift in moment. And not just to people that consume the game, but just how the game has played itself. You know what I'm saying? This seemed like something I can't turn down right now, you know what I mean? And it turned out to be that big. And I agree. You know what I'm saying? It was so many great teams. 67 win spurs that year. Y'all won 73. Then Cleveland 16 had won what, 14 in the playoffs. I think when they played 14 1, it was like insane shit that was going on, team wise and individual player wise, you know what I'm saying? We was seeing that. That's when Kawhi started to emerge to become a superstar from there.

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Kevin Durant]

You know What I'm saying, that's when y'all, the warriors started to come around 2015. That's when, you know, you, Steph Clay started to, you know, jump on to be all Stars every year, you know what I'm saying?

[Stephen Curry]

Kyrie St start playing with Brian that year. We seen Kyrie in a totally different light.

[Kevin Durant]

Exactly. You know what I'm saying? So it was a. It was a lot of shift in, like, you know, dudes that are transforming to be, like, are they stars now? These dudes are superstars too now. It was a few extra dudes that you wouldn't expecting like a kawhi like us. Yeah.

[Stephen Curry]

James had just kind of left y'all, right? When that happened.

[Kevin Durant]

And James became James, James, James. You know what I'm saying? Like, even Steph, I mean, Steph was at the all star level, but he ascended to like, God tier levels around that time. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So when you see these dudes, you know, even myself, you know, from an mvp, you know what I'm saying? And you see everybody is sent with D rolled, you know, just go down the line.

[Draymond Green]

Russ, everybody. Everybody leveled up.

[Kevin Durant]

Everybody level up at that time. And I all feel like at the same time, and when you go from seeing dudes become young stars to super mega stars, it's gonna, you know, push the league forward for the next 10 years. It's just like, wow, that. That happened quick. And it surprised us too, you know, because he was so used to the Kobe Shaq era. Things that slowed down pace of guards backing the backing you down, all the way down court. Yeah, it was very rare. You see a BD or Steve Francis or. You know what I'm saying? Or now you were seeing these dudes every night.

[Draymond Green]

Every night.

[Kevin Durant]

So I think the players that went to the next level and then the team building, that went to the next level too.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, it was a good time. It allowed for everybody to assume they superstar power, and then it allowed for some consolidation for, like, super combat. Cause like you were saying, y'all wasn't sweeping people. It was Game 6. Memphis. Memphis had a consolidated curated, you know, All Stars. Gasol Z Ball, right? People start putting together the right engine. The teams you leave OKC go to, the warriors that become super dynamic. OKC still become, you know, it allow Russ to become a superstar. James go to Houston, he become a superstar. Right? You got demar in Toronto.

[Kevin Durant]

You got PG for Russ, then you got P. Yeah.

[Draymond Green]

Then you got PG with Russell, the dynasty dame emerged. Right?

[Stephen Curry]

Kyle Lowry became A nine time all star. After not making all star for like his first six or seven years or.

[Kevin Durant]

Something like that, it was a. It was a boom. And players were just stepping it up a level throughout the whole league, which made teams better, you know what I'm saying? And it was just a perfect time, man. You seen it. Dudes was working they asses off. And I think that a lot of the reason that come about was we hooped a lot in the summers with each other. We knew each other, Team usa. So we was kind of like sharpening each other throughout the whole league, to be honest.

[Stephen Curry]

Absolutely. C.P. and James. C.P. was at the peak of his powers.

[Kevin Durant]

C.P. and Blake, C.P. like, it was a lot of shit going on around that time. That was a great time, man.

[Draymond Green]

It was cracking.

[Stephen Curry]

Obviously we won championships together, gold medals together. This past summer you won another gold medal, this time with Steph. What was a moment that you and Steph had, you know, or something teaming up that you haven't spoke about? Especially, man, on that level, bro, that was crazy.

[Draymond Green]

That was level.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah. I mean, it was like when you got on the. When I got back on the floor with Steph as a teammate, that first few games, it was like that non verbal. Cause you know there's a certain way that you gotta like play with Steph, you know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

Absolutely.

[Kevin Durant]

He giving the ball up, knowing that. All right, now I'm flying back off this pin down. Make sure you look for me. And a lot of dudes at Team USA didn't quite understand that, you know what I'm saying? So when I would get in the game, I was like, all right, let me. Let me see what he about to do real quick. Because he give this up. He not. That don't mean he gonna stand. He gonna run around somewhere, try to get open. So I was like. I felt like I was the only one on the court that knew what he was thinking, you know what I'm saying? On the other side of the ball. So it's like, it's like we didn't have to say much, but I kind of knew, you know what I'm saying? That's from all those years playing together and watching film together and figuring shit out is like, that was cool to feel again, you know what I'm saying? Cause we worked our way up to that Golden State where we didn't have to talk to each other. I kind of knew what he was thinking and vice versa. So to bring that feeling back on Team USA was special. And then obviously those Last two games. You know what I'm saying? Just how he's. He's. That shit was ridiculous, bro. He made like. He made nine threes that game against Serbia, and then what he did against France those last few shots, it was just perfect. Cause we always wanted that moment. You could tell he did want. He won the gold medal in the Olympics. He had one for the World Championships, but.

[Stephen Curry]

Two of them.

[Kevin Durant]

Two of them? Yeah. You tell. He wanted that Olympic moment, so. But to be like that, man, that was crazy. That's something he gonna always remember.

[Stephen Curry]

I got a secret. I'm gonna tell you, but if I tell you this secret, you gotta promise to just know that it's my secret. And you gotta. You can't do nothing about it.

[Kevin Durant]

All right?

[Stephen Curry]

I got the ball from when you broke the USA scoring record.

[Kevin Durant]

Why do you got that, though, dog?

[Draymond Green]

That's crazy.

[Stephen Curry]

I got that ball.

[Draymond Green]

Somebody had to keep it because I.

[Stephen Curry]

Kept it after that game. And then you left it sitting somewhere. And I was like, he don't want this ball. I'm gonna say this. So I got the ball here.

[Kevin Durant]

Oh, man. I know it's safe over there, man. So you.

[Stephen Curry]

I just need your signature on your. Brian. He gonna sell it, but I.

[Kevin Durant]

Up over there.

[Draymond Green]

Man. That's. That's one of them ones, though, man.

[Stephen Curry]

I got a chance to play with the ghost. You think I don't want to hold on to that?

[Draymond Green]

Come on, man. This is crazy. Talk to me.

[Stephen Curry]

So. I appreciate that, but, man, K, you got four Olympic gold medals. You still. I heard you for the first time talk about retirement maybe within the last three weeks. And you said, I think about it all the time or something like that. Me personally, I know you love just playing basketball. Is there some chance you go get five Olympic gold medals in la?

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, there is a chance. There's a chance. My thing always been is like, I wanna still be on this level that I'm playing at when that time comes around. I don't want that. Don't give me that og, man. Just come be one of the guys and we need your presence type. Nah, I want to hoop if I go out, you know what I'm saying? And I want to be counted on to play minutes, you know what I mean? And you need me to knock down shots to help the team type. Shit. I don't want. Right. I don't want that farewell shit, you know what I'm saying? You can give that spot to a youngster that haven't experienced totally, you know what I'm saying? So if I'm up to that level and I'm still hooping at that level, and I expect myself to be, then, yeah, I would definitely love to be a part of that. Especially being in la, being on a home soil.

[Draymond Green]

That's gonna be crazy.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, it's gonna be stupid.

[Draymond Green]

That's gonna go crazy. Stupid. Hey, you've been hooping for a long time. Do you ever think, like, 19, 20, when you came in the league, and now you're looking at the Olympics, you know, you looking at, you know, the back end of your career. What does the final chapter, right, look like for you? Like, how do you want to paint that final chapter?

[Kevin Durant]

Man, I don't even, man. It's a good question. I mean, and it's hard to say right now. Obviously, I can't predict the future, but like I said, I just want to be. I want to be healthy and make that choice for my own and be able to, you know, lead a game the way I want to leave it. And I want to just keep building with, you know what I'm saying? You know, the young. The young players in the league throughout the. You know what I mean? I just want to be respected, you know, respected as one of the guys that. And pour back into the younger generation of players and. But still hoop on that level with them, too, though. Like, compete on that. Yeah, with them, too. That's why. That's how I want my career to end. I want to still be nice, you know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

You know what I mean? I want to still be the old dude. It's like, yo, he's still like, you know, call him back when he's 42, 49.

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Kevin Durant]

I'm saying.

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Kevin Durant]

That's the type of vibe I want to have when I lead a game, you know? And I don't want to just hang around, just to hang around, you know what I'm saying? So wherever that may be, or whoever I'm playing with, it is.

[Draymond Green]

It's got to be buckets. Once you're not a bucket no more, you ain't coming off the bench, sitting on the bench, saying, come on, young fella, you can do it.

[Kevin Durant]

See, I could come off. I could come off the bench in the Crawford type of role. You know what I mean?

[Draymond Green]

But it's gotta be buckets.

[Kevin Durant]

If I'm doing that wouldn't be too bad. But I can't give you the goddamn seven, eight, ten minutes a night.

[Draymond Green]

The stretch, four, stretch, five.

[Kevin Durant]

Oh, man. I go chill up all night.

[Draymond Green]

Oh, man.

[Alec Baldwin]

With amex, there's always a new experience to explore from curating the perfect vacation and chilling in the Centurion Lounge before you get there trying out that new trendy restaurant. Thanks to Priority Notify with global dining, access by Resy and getting straight to the action at the big game with card member entrances at select venues with AMEX Platinum you can experience it all. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms apply. Access to the card member entrance not limited to the American Express Platinum card. Learn more@american express.com With AmEx you can.

[Baron Davis]

Count on T Mobile to help keep you connected from big cities to small towns on America's largest 5G network. Switch the T Mobile keep your phone and they'll pay it off up to 800 bucks per line via prepaid card. Learn more@t mobile.com heap and switch up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service port in 90 plus days with device and eligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Kevin Durant]

The more you listen to your kids, the closer you'll be. So we asked kids, what do you want your parents to hear? I feel sometimes that I'm not listened to. I would just want you to listen to me more often and evaluate situations with me and lead me towards success. Listening is a form of love. Find resources to help you support your kids and their emotional well [e-mail] that's sounditouttogether.org brought to you by the ad.

[Katherine Legge]

Council and pivotal hey you guys, I'm Katherine Legge. I'm a racing driver who's literally driven everything with four wheels across the planet. And I've got a new podcast, it's called Throttle Therapy. This season I'm gearing up to make history, competing in some of the world's most notorious racing events, starting at the Indy 500. Join me as I travel from racetrack to racetrack in my quest to continue a memorable career in racing. I'm also going to bring you inside stories with legends of sports, new faces from the next generation of auto racing, and conversations with the people who've supported me throughout my career. We'll be getting into everything from karting to nascar, even Formula one. Whether you dream about being a pro athlete or an astronaut, we're talking about what it takes to make it. Listen to Throttle Therapy with Katherine Legg, an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the IHEARTRADIO app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get.

[Kevin Durant]

Your podcasts, Presented by Capital One, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports.

[Stephen Curry]

K. When you. When you look back at your career, what would you look at and say, that was the. The biggest turning point in my career because, like, we. We go through turning points at every level. Right? Like you was at Montrose Christian. Leave. You know, you go to Oak Hill, there's, like, turning points at every level. Which one would you look at in your life and say, it could have been like, you've torn Achilles, Right?

[Kevin Durant]

Like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it.

[Stephen Curry]

What turning point do you look at in your life and say, that was the biggest one, Regardless of where I was.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah.

[Stephen Curry]

In my. At that point in my life, I would say.

[Kevin Durant]

I would say 2012, 2013. Like, that summer after that season, we went to the finals that summer, going to the Olympics, and. And then that season, right around that season, I think that's when I started to. I had a trainer, his name was Justin Zormelo, and he would break down all the analytics of where my best shots was from, where I shoot from the best on the floor. And we would work out with that in mind, you know what I'm saying? And so once I started making that transition of, like, all right, seeing the game from a numbers perspective, seeing the game from an efficiency perspective, slowing the game down around that time, I think that was a turning point for my own court game. And then that's when James had got traded, too, so I had more responsibility as a ball handler. So my assists went up. My playmaking and my decision making, you know, I had to figure that out a little bit quicker than I did before, you know what I'm saying? And I upgraded that, too. Just how I see the game. So right around that time, all that was happening. I think that's when I turned into a different player or just stepped it up a level in just my overall.

[Stephen Curry]

Game and having the opportunity to play with you, that's how your mind work now. I don't think people understand how you going 8 for 12 for 27 points. Like, that's what you want. Like, you don't want. You're not the guy that want 20 shots a game. You want 12 shots and 27 points.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, I always felt. I felt like it was harder to get your shit off with a small amount of opportunities. So always. And that's what I trained for in the summer. It was just like, all right, can you make every shot, though? You know what I'm saying? And I was like, man, that's hard to do. But I trained like that in the summertime. And then that. That season that was talking about 2013, I think that was the first time I did 50, 40, 90. So I always program like, all right, can I go 13? I mean, can I go 10 for 13 and still get 27 a night? And when I started doing it, I was like, oh, shit, I think I got something. You know what I'm saying? And then I was able to do more on the court as far as playing defense, making passes, passing up shots for a better shot for my teammates, because I'm like, all right. I know that each opportunity means something, so I got to take a good shot every time down. That's how I was thinking.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, I think that's what's missing in today's game. Right? When you first came in the league, you probably get 15, 17 shots, so you had to be efficient. So, like, the chase for efficiency is the DNA throughout your whole narrative in your game. And looking at the young dudes now, they don't have that. They don't have a efficiency rating. Right. It's just get a high volume of shots up. If I get hot, great. But it's almost like. It's like playing the slot machines. Yeah, right. With a little better eye.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's encouraged, though. I keep saying it like, we can't just keep not putting the coaches out on the forefront. Now they telling us, you know what I'm saying, to be this aggressive throughout the game and to get up more, to do more, to shoot more threes, and you know what I'm saying? And sometimes that efficiency, when you shoot a lot of threes in the games. I see some dudes shoot nine, ten threes in a game. You compromise that, like making half your shots, you know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Kevin Durant]

40%, even 35, 36% is considered good. You know what I'm saying? Right.

[Draymond Green]

That's making three. Three and a half.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah. So if you fall for 11 from the three, all right, that's the standard that I'm at. You know what I'm saying? If I'm 12 or 25 from the field, I still had 32. I mean, yeah, I mean, that's a good. That's a good number. 47% ain't bad from the field, but it's like a few of them shots, you probably could have made 17 for 25 if you wouldn't have took four of those threes, and you might have stepped in and Made a little layup or pull up jump shot, you know what I'm saying? That's the type of game I'm thinking about. But now it's just like, let's get them up. And you know there's gonna be some high number of games, dudes gonna get 40 or 50, you know what I'm saying? The way I'm playing is like, you might not hit a big number of points. You might just be consistently at 20 to 25 or 25 to 30. You see what I mean? So, yep, this is a matter of approach.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah, I left the league in three point attempts. I hell shit like how many nine, ten threes a game when it wasn't cool? Yeah, yeah, it wasn't. But they used to throw me the ball when I was in New Orleans. They used to throw me the ball with seconds on the clock.

[Kevin Durant]

Oh yeah, you got.

[Draymond Green]

So we're running so half of those was, you know, against the clock. But I know what you. I know what you mean, but I don't know what you mean because, yeah, life is easy in your world. Well, we want to jump to around the league. I saw your tweet about the NBA taking a week off during All Star Weekend and canceling the event. So could you please explain yourself and communicate this to our NBA fans?

[Kevin Durant]

I just think the fans don't like anything. They gonna find something about. I was like, I'm like, they gonna find one thing. If it's not perfect, totally perfect, then they don't look. Yeah. And I'm just like, at this point now, let's just. You know what I mean? So y'all won't drive yourself crazy watching this. Man, I want better for y. Because they don't like nothing that goes on. I'm like, they're like, man, y'all need to play harder in the, in the All Star game. And like, I'm like, y'all just like, that's so easy. For the other say, how about y'all come up with like, why do you think the games are getting out of hand like this? Why do you think dudes aren't like playing up to your standards? It's just like, like nobody giving me a solution on nothing. It's just a bunch of, it's just a bunch of complaining and ideas of how to change some. The whole fabric of the game. It's like, yo, we should, should change the, like shorten the three point line or I mean, take away the three point, the corner three. Or like, y'all should be limited to shooting 25 threes a game. I'm just like, man, stop the game.

[Draymond Green]

Yes.

[Kevin Durant]

So that was my whole thing is like, man, let's just get rid of, man, the All Star weekend so the.

[Draymond Green]

Fans, so they could be happy.

[Kevin Durant]

So they could be finally happy about something. It's getting out of hand, man.

[Stephen Curry]

I think fans and media has as much impact on the state of the game today than anybody.

[Kevin Durant]

That's the underrated part. It's kind of taboo to talk about the fans or criticize the fans. It's just we pay our hard earned money and we basically fund y'all whole operation so y'all can't say shit about us. And I'm like, you know what? Y'all have a huge impact on what we do. Right? So how can we not say. How can y'all not be a factor to why shit is going bad? When shit going bad, it's all on the people inside the league. But when going well, the fans want to take credit for how much they come to the games and how much they watch and all of this. But when it's going bad, it's like, all right, y'all, I'm out of it as a fan base. There's the execs, the league itself. I'm like, nah, y'all not gonna get away with that.

[Draymond Green]

Y'all in this, too. It's a community.

[Kevin Durant]

It's a community, right? There's gonna be a community. We all up. Can't just put it on one. Dude. We up. But when it's all sunshine, then you jump in it. You know what I mean? Take some credit for it.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

So my whole thing is like, yeah, if you ain't got no solution, if you ain't got nothing to say, man, just sit back and enjoy the game. Because there's some beautiful athletes y'all just taking for granted because y'all, like, man, it's too many threes, and the games don't come on at the right time. There's too many commercials. Yeah. These dudes switching teams too much. There's no more rivalries, no more fight. What you want? Sick. I'm getting sick of it, man. But because there's some beauty that's going on in the league, though. You look at the play, look at. Look at the highlight. You just watch the highlights throughout a game, and you're gonna see some incredible shit. You know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

And you seeing teams every year having a chance to win a chip. Like, look at okc, look at Cleveland. It's different. Champions, I feel like right now. So it's like, what more do you want as a fan base? That community who loves game, that love the NBA? What more do you want from.

[Draymond Green]

That's a fact. Will you play in the lit? If the league organize a one on one tournament for a million dollar prize.

[Kevin Durant]

Winner, all star weekend, Would I play? Yeah. Yeah, I'll play. All right. I'll play some.

[Draymond Green]

Good work too. I was telling Dre I want to play too. I'm about to get it safe.

[Stephen Curry]

Hey, dude will play once every day, man. He ain't playing once for a million dollars.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, come on. I say five seconds, three spots. Twos and threes came to 15. First one to 15.

[Kevin Durant]

Is it a series, though? Is it like a three little. Three little first to two. You know what I mean?

[Stephen Curry]

It's the three games I think it should be.

[Draymond Green]

I say it's point. I say it's 15 points. 15 points.

[Kevin Durant]

So King of the hill is all of us on the court.

[Draymond Green]

I don't like that.

[Kevin Durant]

It's like, nah, six minutes at a time playing King of the hill.

[Stephen Curry]

Them slim type of ones, man.

[Draymond Green]

Listen, the king of the hill was. No, that's not cool. Because the dude who probably is not the nicest can get rolling and you got one shot at defense. It's like, come on, man, you can't go to football too.

[Kevin Durant]

That's.

[Stephen Curry]

That's too long. That's gonna take forever.

[Draymond Green]

You gotta make go to 10, go to 10.

[Kevin Durant]

If you're gonna go ones, you're gonna have to go five seconds or five second shot. Clock to 11. Twos and three.

[Draymond Green]

Done.

[Stephen Curry]

I can roll with that.

[Draymond Green]

Fifteen ain't far off though.

[Kevin Durant]

Fifteen.

[Stephen Curry]

That's a lot of points. That's like.

[Draymond Green]

That's like damn near 21.

[Stephen Curry]

Yeah. If you score all threes, it's five possession, and you ain't scoring all threes.

[Kevin Durant]

You're scoring all threes, man. You'll be tired as hell, man.

[Stephen Curry]

Exactly. In our last episode, we spoke about this. But who will win the one on one tournament? I say you. BD said, Giannis, when you look around the landscape of the league, who you think your toughest competition would be?

[Kevin Durant]

Mm, man. Cause like BD said, you can get hot on ones, man. Yeah, like you could say, you can say, I can win this, but I can also lose too, man. Cause like, I done play ones with with Jason Tatum and he done got cooking, making shots over every contest. I didn't play ones with, with, with. With Kyrie, and he can't miss you Know what I'm saying? Yeah. I would say J.T. kyrie, just for the simple fact that I actually played against them. I would say somebody like a. Like a Joel too. I think he get. Oh, yeah, you get a bucket from the wing. I'm talking about. This is straight up healthy.

[Stephen Curry]

Man.

[Kevin Durant]

Shay. I think Shay be tough. Damn. Shay will be tough in the ones. Especially if you go like 5 second clock and not like 3 dribbles. 4 dribbles. If you going to just a shot clock, it gonna be tough. And then I think I get put in there too.

[Draymond Green]

Yannis beating all them dudes.

[Kevin Durant]

Man. I gotta see how he gonna approach the ones, man. Cause yeah, he can, man.

[Stephen Curry]

I already know.

[Kevin Durant]

I already know what he doing because I'm able to shoot that. You gotta be able to just shoot anytime. Like fatal season. He going straight bully you.

[Draymond Green]

Exactly. He gonna get as close as he can to the hoop.

[Kevin Durant]

You have to follow him the whole time.

[Draymond Green]

All right. I was watching K played Dr. J 101. Hey, dog, I was crying. You can't stop a seven footer with skills. Dr. J had a hard time. You, Steph and LeBron were the US heroes. Has there ever been talk of teaming together for one last road show?

[Kevin Durant]

No, sir.

[Draymond Green]

That wouldn't even work. That wouldn't even work.

[Kevin Durant]

We ain't had that convo, man. I think you got it everything you're gonna the Olympics this past summer, man. It was perfect. Steph had a moment. I had me a little moment in that game, bro. Had. You know what I mean? It was perfect, man. Just lock in.

[Draymond Green]

Maybe if they call y'all out of retirement and sign all three of y'all.

[Kevin Durant]

And that salty, that.

[Draymond Green]

Be killing.

[Stephen Curry]

I. I saw you. Or maybe Rich said it, but was talking about Mav's Mavericks league that he's working on. I think Rich said you get some bump. Right?

[Kevin Durant]

I mean, I just put in so much equity with the league, the NBA, man. It'd be hard to do. Yeah, right. You know what I'm saying?

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

Or want to do that. Or had a desire to just pick up and just start some new like that, this deep. But you know what I'm saying? The bag is a bag, man.

[Draymond Green]

Especially the hoop. Especially the hoop.

[Kevin Durant]

You never know what they could come up with, you know, when it. But I don't see it happening for me, man. I mean, I didn't put in too much work in the league, but the idea. You never know how this could work nowadays, man. I'm interested to see if it grow.

[Stephen Curry]

You Kind of just spoke on this a little bit. Obviously, we all know how much you love the game of basketball. I always tell people I'm not sure I know many people, if anybody that love the game the way you love the game from like, you'll go watch them second grade boys play basketball and be like, yo, you see that move he just did right here?

[Kevin Durant]

Look at this move.

[Stephen Curry]

It's like, bro, they in third grade, bro. Like, but that's how you let a game of basketball, everybody's talking about, like you said, knocking the product down or like changing the product, obviously taking corner threes away, like, that's stupid stuff. But is there something that you suggest can improve and help grow the game game further than where it is today?

[Kevin Durant]

Nah, I think only, I think only the players can grow the game. Like, you can make all these rule changes all you want and the players got to be the one out there executing. So if we, if guys keep adding to their skill set, you know what I'm saying, from the top to bottom, from point guards all the way down to the Bears keep improving their skill set, I think that's going to advance the game more than anything. And you're seeing it all, you know what I'm saying? But all of these gimmicky rule changes and all of that, I don't agree.

[Draymond Green]

Nah, we don't need none of that.

[Kevin Durant]

Like players and coaches, the ones that can really push the game forward.

[Draymond Green]

I was going to say coaching.

[Kevin Durant]

Coaching.

[Draymond Green]

Coaching is the one thing that I would say could improve because when I'm watching the games and I'm watching teams, everybody play with the same style. And so you can't really get a great enjoyment of people actually doing work because there's so much luck happening. Right. And so the game is like based on luck and chance and numbers where I think if it's some coaches come with a different approach and say, you know what? We not going to play small ball all the time. We not going to shoot a gang of threes. Like, here's a big man that play in the post and we can identify with a style and a philosophy that counteract the way the warriors play or counteract the way Boston play. I think everybody just playing the same way. And so we gotta get diff. Like teams gotta develop styles.

[Kevin Durant]

I think, I think, I mean, you gotta look at it though. A lot of the players are playing similar. You know, a lot of the guys go to moves are the same step, back, step.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah.

[Kevin Durant]

You know what I'm saying? Pick and roll, float, you Know what I'm saying? So. And it's a copycat league. It's been like that since the beginning. So I always go back to the players and the uniqueness of each player. Like Jokic. Jokic, this system is definitely different from the normal system, and it's simply because of how great he is. And the warriors still play that style. Everybody wanted to play like the warriors, but they haven't accomplished it yet. But they play that style simply because you got. You has Clay there, too, but you got Steph and Draymond, you know what I'm saying? Playing that different type, that different style of ball, you know? But it depends on what players you got. You know what I mean?

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Kevin Durant]

They playing more of an ISO system, spread you out, driving kick system. Boston playing that way. So, you know, man, it's just tailored to the players. I think more and more coaches start to understand that the tailored system around it with their best players, players can do, as opposed to trying to make them fit into a certain style of system.

[Draymond Green]

Right.

[Stephen Curry]

Do you think that's player empowerment, too, though? Like a part of, like, the power that players have? You think that's. That's a part of why coaches have to do that as well?

[Kevin Durant]

I just think it's just smart. I mean, to get the most out your best players. Who's going to affect the game? I just think the simple fact is, like, yeah, they start to realize, yeah, we need to build around this talent that we have because you realize they don't come around often a John Moran, you know what I'm saying? You can't just draft him or Zion or. Or Ant or. You know what I'm saying? You talking about you're not gonna just draft these dudes that easy, so while you got them here, you might as well make them as comfortable as they can and get so you can get the absolute most out the player, you know what I'm saying? And coaches, organizations are starting to understand that. You seeing how they building their teams now, fitting around their best players, you know, so. And that's what I love about the game, too, that a lot of people don't speak about. The evolution is how the GMs and the front offices and the coaches are starting to be a little bit more creative on how they want to, you know what I'm saying, craft these teams. They hoarding picks. They might trade picks for a player in the middle of the night, and you might see a All Star on the team that you ain't expect because they got seven picks, they Gonna trade, you know what I'm saying? So they creative shit, you know what I'm saying? To keep their assets and team building, you know, to go to that next level. Cause it take much more than just a player knocking down shots to win the championship. And a lot of credit got to go to the front office and the GM and the coaching staff. You want to win?

[Stephen Curry]

No doubt, man. Hey, man, it's been great. By the way, I know you got the. You and Rich got the boardroom pumping. You about to. Y'all about to buy Hooters, bro.

[Kevin Durant]

We had to pay homage, man. You know, Hooters was that in college? Especially in college. Two dollar wings, man. So I had.

[Draymond Green]

All right, Peter.

[Kevin Durant]

It's always good talking hoot with y'all, bro. I appreciate y'all letting me on, man.

[Stephen Curry]

Absolutely, man. We appreciate you, bro. Living legend continuing to watch you play basketball, bro.

[Kevin Durant]

Appreciate it.

[Stephen Curry]

You raise the level. You keep raising the level of the game. You are one of the guys raising the level of how long you can do this and still be at that. That and, man, it's an honor to watch you work. It's been an honor to watch you work.

[Kevin Durant]

Hey, dog, you got them gray hairs now, too, now? So running around.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, that's. That's from him trying to play me in dominoes.

[Stephen Curry]

That's crazy to me, Slim.

[Kevin Durant]

You got them gray heads, but you still running around there guarding the goddamn whole team. You showing a lot, too, man. They use the finer Rs, too, dog. So I appreciate you, bro.

[Stephen Curry]

Hey, by the way, also, you know me, I'll say something when I don't like it. And I must always say something when I do like something. I'm not just going to say something when I don't like it. And you saying the other day that I'd be a great head coach, but I meant the world to me. The peers say that, you know, it always mean more, bro. So. So you know, I ain't gonna just criticize you and be like, damn. Slim said he hope I get the help I need and not say when you. When you throw me a bone like that or give me props like that. I appreciate it, my dog. Always. I want you to know that.

[Kevin Durant]

Love, brother. Minary word, too. I holler at y'all, man. Appreciate you.

[Draymond Green]

All right. I need you on that album, too. That next album.

[Kevin Durant]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm gonna get you. I'm gonna get your number. I'm tell Dre. Send me.

[Stephen Curry]

I'll connect y'all. Bart, Oatmeal and Slim. Yes, sir.

[Kevin Durant]

Appreciate you, Slim, sir.

[Draymond Green]

Appreciate you, boss man.

[Stephen Curry]

That was so amazing having K on here, bro, Talking, talking hoop with him. Also hearing how that his answer about efficiency, like, guys did not think about the game that way. This man's like, no, no, no. I'd rather just have 29 on 12 shots.

[Kevin Durant]

Right?

[Stephen Curry]

And then. But it makes sense, though, with his mind because during that time is where you started to see KD evolve as a defender. During that time where you started to see him evolve as a passer and he's pretty much saying, like, nah, not taking 22 shots is allowing me and just hit nine of my 12 is going to allow me to do all those other things. It was dope to hear him talk about that in that way.

[Draymond Green]

Yeah. I think a lot of gems are dropped. It's incredible when you have somebody that decorates it and you guys spent time together sharing those moments, like to still see that chemistry exist. You see why, you know, you had that dynasty. So, you know, shout out to Kevin Durant, a living legend. This was a dope show. I appreciate you, big dog. Thanks for having me.

[Stephen Curry]

Appreciate you, my brother. Everything you brought to the show, I appreciate you. I know our listeners appreciate you because the amount of times I hear yo adding BT to the show is crazy. I appreciate you, my brother. Till next time, for y'all tuning in, we appreciate y'all. That's a wrap. Enjoy it like we did.

[Kevin Durant]

Peace.

[Draymond Green]

We out.

[Kevin Durant]

The volume.

[Draymond Green]

Hey, it's Alec Baldwin. This past season on my podcast, here's the thing, I spoke with more actors, musicians, policymakers, and so many other fascinating people like writer and actor Dan Aykroyd.

[Kevin Durant]

I love writing more than anything.

[Stephen Curry]

You're left alone.

[Kevin Durant]

You know, you do three hours in.

[Stephen Curry]

The morning, you write three hours in the afternoon.

[Baron Davis]

Go pick up a kid from school.

[Kevin Durant]

And write at night. And after nine hours, you come out with seven pages and then you're moving on.

[Draymond Green]

Listen to here's the thing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alec Baldwin]

This is Mel Reed, LPGA tour winner.

[Kevin Durant]

And six time ladies European tour winner and Kira K. Dixon, NBC sports reporter and host. And we've got a new podcast, quiet Please with Mel and Kira. We are bringing you spicy takes on.

[Stephen Curry]

Sports and pop culture, Some interviews with.

[Kevin Durant]

Incredible people who have figured out how.

[Alec Baldwin]

To make golf their superpower.

[Kevin Durant]

An iheart winning sports performance production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of.

[Alec Baldwin]

Iheart Women's Sports we all have a.

[Kevin Durant]

Moment that splits us wide open. On my new podcast, Wide Open with.

[Stephen Curry]

Ashlin Harris, I'll sit down with trailblazers.

[Kevin Durant]

From sports, music, fashion, entertainment and politics to explore their toughest moments and the incredible comebacks that fall followed.

[Alec Baldwin]

Listen to Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris.

[Kevin Durant]

An iHeart women's sports production on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Elf Beauty, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports.

[Baron Davis]

Tickets are on sale now, y'all, for our 2025 I Heart Country Festival presented by Capital one, happening Saturday, May 3rd at the Moody center in Austin, Texas. Don't miss your chance to see Brooks and D. God, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flash, Cole Swindell, Sam Hunt, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith. Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster. Com.