Kevin Durant Founds Group to Help Kids
NICHOLS: I'm Rachel Nichols. And welcome back to UNGUARDED. All the highlights of last season's NBA playoffs, the most memorable moment didn't even come on the court but from a guy in a suit. Remember this: Kevin Durant giving his MVP acceptance speech and thanking his mom.</s>DURANT: You kept us off the street. You put clothes on our backs, food on the table. And when you didn't eat, you made sure we ate. You went to sleep hungry. You're the real MVP.</s>NICHOLS: Such an incredibly powerful moment. And not just because it was so emotional. Durant's entire speech was framed in kindness and gratitude, the exact opposite of the feeling often running through the world of sports and, frankly, our culture at large these days. We wanted to tackle that bigger issue, so who better to bring in than Kevin himself? K.D. recently started a program, teaching kids to be just a little nicer in the world, a little more kind. And I caught up with him earlier. Take a listen.</s>NICHOLS: Welcome, Kev, although before we get to everything else. I still have to ask you, even months later, how often does someone come up to you and talk to you but that MVP speech?</s>DURANT: Every day. Every day. And I was glad I was able to inspire some people. And give some people some hope, so you know, it was -- it was well-received.</s>NICHOLS: Sports culture today has all the talk about the haters and there's also this idea of, hey, it doesn't matter if someone loves me or hates me as long as they're talking about me. How do you think we got here? Actually being thought of as a good person, that doesn't seem to be as important any more in the world of sports as, hey, people are looking at me.</s>DURANT: We are in the spotlight so much. It changes -- it changes, you know, perspective on things and how people view you. You know, the words we speak and our actions go such a long way with people. And with social media, that stuff is out of proportion, as well. So just being conscious that you're a role model. You're setting an example for kids coming up. And once you look at it that way, then you start to realize, you know, taking -- being held accountable for your actions and your words. And you know, just trying to -- just trying to, you know, make the world a better place by starting with yourself.</s>NICHOLS: Internet culture is such a big part of sports today. You and I have talked before about some of the crazy messages that athletes get on social media. If someone doesn't like the color of the jacket you wear to an awards show. Can you give our viewers here just a little taste of how far fans will go with what they write to athletes?</s>DURANT: Well, it goats pretty far, man. I've heard some of the most cruel things over social media. You know, people hoping that I get hurt. I've seen, you know, "I hope you tear your ACL." I've heard racist remarks. I've heard everything. We live in a society where it is just, you know, everybody loves conflict. Everybody loves hate. Everybody loves to talk people down. Or, be negative. So once you go to the other side of things and be positive with people, it's kind of -- it's, you know, people don't respond to it so well.</s>NICHOLS: It's not easy. You've been spending some time with kids working on a project called Strong and Kind. Basically trying to teach them to have those same values your mother taught you.</s>DURANT: I never wanted to change who I was because the crowd was doing something. I just wanted to be myself. And, you know, being strong and kind is just a part of me. It's so authentic to me. And I just wanted to show everybody, you know, what I believe in.</s>NICHOLS: All right. So let's talk about basketball for a minute. How does LeBron James going back to Cleveland change the landscape of the NBA right now?</s>DURANT: He's such a great player. And, you know, he's -- he can definitely change the franchise, you know, by his presence. So should be a fun year. I'm looking forward to it.</s>NICHOLS: And you know, as soon as LeBron went home to Cleveland, it ramped up all the talk about you possibly going to play for your hometown team, the Washington Wizards. You and LeBron are good friends. Has he given you advice on how to focus yourself through the season, just stay with the basketball? Because you know all that speculation and conversation is only getting louder as the season goes on.</s>DURANT: Yes, well, I got two more years on my contract. So, I'm just trying to stay focused on what we have here in Oklahoma City and not worry about other stuff. When that time comes, you know, I'll sit down. The people that mean the most to me and talk it through. But as of right now, I enjoy working out every single day with Russell Westbrook. And my trainers and just trying to achieve our goal one day. So we'll see.</s>NICHOLS: All right. Well, I know as you work for that title this coming year. See your mom in the stands rooting for you. Hopefully, you'll have a chance for a speech, thanking her for the end of the season there, right?</s>DURANT: Yes, hopefully. We'll see.</s>NICHOLS: Of course, I'm any sure the next big speech Kevin really wants to give is after he wins his first NBA title. We're going to have to see how that plays out. In the meantime, though, some very thoughtful stuff from him at just 26 years old. All right, coming up, you're going to hear from the Bengals' Devon Still, whose 4-year-old daughter is inspiring millions. But first our "Nikon Unguarded Moment of the Week." Last night the Texans looks like they were going to stage a comeback for the ages. After trailing 24 to nothing, they clawed their way back to 33-28. They even had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but they blew it. First, receiver Andre Johnson fumbles. Then quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with, yes, another fumble. The Colts win. The Texans are left to wonder what might have been.