After acknowledging his mental health issues, Keŋin Durant won both the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award and the hearts of people around him. You gave up something for us.
After acknowledging his mother, Keŋin Durant earned the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player award and captivated the hearts of people around him by saying, “You sacrificed for us.” You are the true MVP.
The speech’s words and video quickly gained popularity, motivating millions of people, driving Mother’s Day sales, and ultimately leading to the creation of the film “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story,” which debuted on Lifetime on Saturday night.
February 22, 2016, Langley, British Columbia, Canada—Day 15 of 19: The Real MVP Cassandra Freeмan and the Real Wanda DurantJudith Strauss
Wanda said, “I never imagined that his mentioning me in a speech for an award he refused recognition for would inspire a memoir about my life.”
The Real MVP: Day 15 of 19, February 22, 2016, Langley, BC, Canada Daniel Bellomy and Cassandra Freeman Judith Strauss
Six months following the heartbreaking speech and gloating response, Durant’s representative Gina Ford and publicity manager Brynee Baylor believed the entire tale ought to be shared. Following their conversation with Flavor Unit over the film, they approved it, and Queen Latifah continued as Executive Producer. After Flavor Unit presented the concept to Lifetime, the rest is history.
At the age of 21, “Maмa Durant,” as she is lovingly called, had two daughters and was a single mother. Life wasn’t easy for her. Even though Keſin thanked several individuals in his speech, such as his father, brothers, and friends, he became more emotional when discussing his experiences with his mother.
He described their family moving about and eventually getting their own house at one point. “I had lodged with my mother and stayed with other people for brief periods of time,” Durant recalled of the event. I believe the reason the event had such a deep emotional impact on Keŋin was because I wanted it to be that moment—that the three of us finally had our own home.
Wanda Durant, along with her two sons, Keʋin and Tony.PR for Priscilla Clarke
A scene from the movie that is depicted in the teaser features a conversation between Durant and her boys in an extremely intimate room. The Durant Elliettes Flaa Unit performed a fantastic job, particularly in the casting of Cassandra Freeмan, who portrays her in the movie. Durant remarked, “I often said, She made my story real to me, and I know the story.”
She had a great time with Cassandra and also liked finishing her brief story. “It felt like we were old friends when we were together that day [the first day they met]; like I was her older cousin or her aunt. Because of our little meeting, Durant was able to grasp my attention.
Following his team’s victory against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, left, gives a hug to his mother Wanda Durant.Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Picture Library
Years before Durant’s son wrote her a love letter, she served as a public speaker and inspired people all over the nation by sharing her religion and life narrative. When Durant first began, she recalled that she stated, “Kevin had made a significant donation to the Single Parent Network following his charitable endeavors during the NBA lockout. Although they wanted him to accept the donation, he recommended that I do so because it would be more pertinent to me as it was intended for single parents.
Her desire to share her experience with others intensified as she saw the audience’s shocked reactions. “I began to understand my life’s purpose and share my story to encourage others to dream, believe, and achieve.”