Kevin Durant Unfiltered Interview: Injury, Owning A Team, #NBA Greats & More | Boardroom Cover Story
NBA powerhouse Kevin Durant sits down with his longtime partner Rich Kleiman for a candid discussion in this exclusive Boardroom Cover Story. From the Texas Longhorns to the Phoenix Suns, Rich and KD discuss the trajectory of their careers + friendship. The two delve into their origins at a Jay-Z concert catalyzed by Grammy-nominated rapper Wale, and remark on Durant’s aspirations of being part of a future Seattle Supersonics ownership team. They discuss the highs and lows of KD’s career. Reflecting on his journey from the Oklahoma City Thunder to his career-altering Achilles injury with the Golden State Warriors. Durant opens up about LeBron James’ longevity, his place in the NBA GOAT conversation, and his evolving perspective on teams like the New York Knicks. Lastly, the two discuss the upcoming Olympics in Paris, which players he’s looking forward to playing 1v1 against, and why he thinks players like Cooper Flagg and Anthony Edwards have big futures in the league. Tune in for an unfiltered glimpse into the mind of one of basketball’s greatest.
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00:00 – Intro
00:26 – Kevin Durant reflecting on meeting Rich Kleiman and Boardroom’s beginnings
03:24 – Kevin Durant realizing his fame and impact during the early stages of his career
04:40 – Kevin Durant reflecting on his impact with the Oklahoma City Thunder
11:49 – Seattle’s importance as an NBA market + what he can offer a franchise
15:16 – How being in the NBA affects those around KD
17:13 – Rich & KD on how their relationship has blossomed organically
19:12 – Kevin Durant on what he sees for himself post-playing career
21:07 – Kevin Durant on how his game has evolved over the years
22:25 – Kevin Durant on what drives him after all of the accolades, Pt. 1
23:40 – Kevin Durant challenges the GOAT Conversation
25:37 – The importance of storytelling around the NBA
29:21 – The effect of KD’s injuries on his career
38:46 – Kevin Durant on what drives him after all of the accolades, Pt. 2
42:47 – Kevin Durant on being overlooked as a leader
44:53 – How KD’s persona in the NBA shifted over time
48:57 – Kevin Durant responds to Stephen A. Smith’s commentary
50:21 – Kevin Durant analyzes the future stars of the NBA
53:26 – Kevin Durant on his respect for the greatness and longevity of LeBron James
58:34 – Kevin Durant on almost joining the New York Knicks
01:02:21 – Work ethic vs Natural athletic gifts
01:03:48 – Looking forward to the Olympic Games in 2024
01:08:25 – Conclusion
36 Comments
KD ducking joel 1s by far funniest part of the show😭😭😭😭
Why they tag so many people in the description
This is WHY! YOU NEED ME IN YOUR LIFE KD! SO I CAN. E YR BASKETBALL AND WE BOUNCE IDEAS OFF EACHOTHERS ELEVATOR ONE ANOTHER ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤YOU ARE SPECIAL MY KING!
Love the way you interpretate BASKETBALL Mentally physically emotionally Enjoying everything on every Level because you are the Reason BASKETBALL is my favorite Sport PERIOD ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤COME BACK TO NYC WE LUV YOU ! BECAUSE U DON'T SPEAK UP LIKE YOU ARE KNOW BUT MY MOTTO IS SEEING IS BELIEVING IS ACHIEVEING ❤❤❤❤❤❤MY KING ALWAYS&FOREVER ❤❤❤❤❤❤U ARE HUMAN KEEP BEING U KD&ME❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I Like it tooo❤❤❤❤❤❤❤KEEP BEING YOU KD&ME❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I Care for you I love the Soft Voice MORALES RESPECT INTEGRITY HEART OF STEAL IM COMING TO FIND U KD&ME❤❤❤❤❤❤❤KEEP SHINING YOU ARE BLACK EXCELLENT AT ITS FINEST ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thtz RITE❤❤❤❤❤❤BXNY4LIFE ❤❤❤❤❤❤
BIG FACTS ❤❤❤❤❤❤NYSTATEOFMIND ❤❤❤❤❤❤
KD been my goat
Asking a 17 year vet about a high school player, let’s you know the league is setting up propaganda for Flagg
I love KD, i think it's too bad he went to the Warriors, it frustrastes me because his legacy is tarnished and there IS an asterisk next to those too titles, simply because he's too GREAT to and was too good to play with a player as good as him. Him, Steph and Bron were the clear top 3 players in the league, and are arguably the 3 of them top 10 all time. And for two players of that level to be together on a team with such a great supporting cast, it was just crazy and everyone knew they were winning unless injuries stopped them. I believe even if CP doesn't get injured they still beat that Rockets team, as amazing as that team and their gameplan was for the Warriors.
When I think of KD it's like, damn bro, why'd you have to make that decision, you would've won a title by now for sure, a player of your caliber.
Still one of my all time favourites, and one of the greatest for sure.
Kevin Durant you and booker need to Google kai Jones before he sign with philadelphia sixers I hope you see this get him bro
Move the grizzlies to the eastern conference and bring back the Seattle supersonics
Love that KD respect Stephon, oh man Steve Francis, Kevin Johnson, even dudes like Tony Parker & John Stockton, Joe Dumars, just don't get respect. Clyde Drexler – The Blazers, omg. The GOAT conversation just cancels out all the best dudes ever. Spree! I could just list names all day
I'm not a huge KD fan, but I HATE Stephen A. So annoying and unprofessional
This just make me love kd even more ❤️
"Sometimes you being upset helps you figure out a problem, but that doesn't mean my life overall is unhappy." That's so true, people who always keep a smile on, I feel like they never dug deep within themselves.
THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER.
This is such a good interview.
The part on perspective after the championships and motivation of working on the craft is great.
The only asterisks on those Golden State Warriors team should be to designate possibly the best NBA basketball team ever assembled. That's what the debate should be, not to dilute the championship. Are KDs GSW team the most unbeatable of all time?
Kevin Durant should have a starting lineup booker ģrayson kd nurkic udoka than you can add royce drew nassir in the second unit Bradley Gordon David bol thaddeus or Isaiah if you can bring in a sign
Kevin knox that help that give Kevin Durant a pick and roll guy and a center at the rim can dunk on anyone so whoever said in the coaching staff that udoka shouldn't play us crazy he should start that give me two guys can rebound and make the game easy so if Durant say he won't nurkic and udoka in the game at the same time it would happen no question ask
Love KD ❤
Weed is not good for you Kevin… everything everywhere at once
KD what a Baller
KD my goat just behind Tim Duncan. Hall of Famer for sure!
He’s one of the goats, straight hooper no politics. unlike bron, always trynna control the narrative and wanna be a drama queen. KD hoop, never complains to refs, never make excuses, never throws his teammates under the bus. carry on
Really tryna Oop that SuperSonics investment/ownership angle 😬
Bring back the ETCs!!!!
I want to smoke a blunt and just sit there lol. Looks relaxing
Sam presti being a Tony royster fan is the most random thing I learned today. That’s the drummer that was in jay z’s band at the time
The fact that KD is still one of the best players right now after such an injury is insane. I love KD man.
I go in deep on Vinny testavardi lol
Loves those beanies and having a waxk haircut
I don’t know if this agent guy is legit
kd high as hell lmaoo