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KD: Kevin Durant's Relentless Pursuit to Be the Greatest
Golden State Warriors insider and bestselling author Marcus Thompson delivers the definitive biography of one of the most extraordinary basketball players in NBA history—Kevin Durant.
The NBA has never seen a player quite like Kevin Durant. Larry Bird wasn’t as quick, Magic Johnson didn’t have such a range, and Michael Jordan wasn’t seven feet tall. Durant handles the ball like Allen Iverson, shoots like Dirk Nowitzki, and has the scoring instincts of Kobe Bryant. He does it in a body that’s about as big as Hakeem Olajuwon. But ultimately, Kevin Durant is like no one but himself.
After an incredible first season with Golden State, Kevin Durant earned the coveted NBA Finals MVP he was the Warriors’ top scorer in every game of the 2017 Finals, helping the team snatch the title from LeBron James and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
As a sports columnist for The Athletic Bay Area, and longtime beat reporter covering the Golden State Warriors, Marcus Thompson is perfectly positioned to trace Durant’s inspirational journey. KD follows Durant’s underdog story from his childhood spent in poverty outside DC; to his rise playing on AAU teams with future NBA players; to becoming a star and hometown hero for the Oklahoma Thunder; to his controversial decision to play for the NBA rival Golden State Warriors; to his growth from prodigy into a man, in the first true inside account of this superstar player.
KD is a powerful, moving biography of a modern-day legend and an essential read for all sports fans—or anyone who wants to what’s it like to shoot for greatness?
The NBA has never seen a player quite like Kevin Durant. Larry Bird wasn’t as quick, Magic Johnson didn’t have such a range, and Michael Jordan wasn’t seven feet tall. Durant handles the ball like Allen Iverson, shoots like Dirk Nowitzki, and has the scoring instincts of Kobe Bryant. He does it in a body that’s about as big as Hakeem Olajuwon. But ultimately, Kevin Durant is like no one but himself.
After an incredible first season with Golden State, Kevin Durant earned the coveted NBA Finals MVP he was the Warriors’ top scorer in every game of the 2017 Finals, helping the team snatch the title from LeBron James and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
As a sports columnist for The Athletic Bay Area, and longtime beat reporter covering the Golden State Warriors, Marcus Thompson is perfectly positioned to trace Durant’s inspirational journey. KD follows Durant’s underdog story from his childhood spent in poverty outside DC; to his rise playing on AAU teams with future NBA players; to becoming a star and hometown hero for the Oklahoma Thunder; to his controversial decision to play for the NBA rival Golden State Warriors; to his growth from prodigy into a man, in the first true inside account of this superstar player.
KD is a powerful, moving biography of a modern-day legend and an essential read for all sports fans—or anyone who wants to what’s it like to shoot for greatness?
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2019
41 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 10, 2019
Very few athletes who are stars in their sport, no matter which one, escape some type of controversy in their careers. Kevin Durant is no exception as his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors set off a furious reaction not seen since LeBron James left Cleveland to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010. The story behind Durant’s decision, as well as a look into his complicated world, is told in this excellent unauthorized biography by Marcus Thompson.
Having already penned one best-selling book about a Golden State star, Stephan Curry, Thompson writes about Durant’s ascent to stardom from Prince George County in the Washington DC metro area, or DMV for DC/Maryland/Virgina as the region is called throughout the book, where he was not only competing but thriving in games against boys older than him. The book then follows Durant to the University of Texas for his one spectacular season for the Longhorns which vaulted him to being the #2 pick in the NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He had a fine rookie season, being named the Rookie of the Year and followed the team when it moved to Oklahoma City. This time in Durant’s career was my only negative takeaway from the book – there was far too little written about Durant’s time in Seattle almost like it never happened. That is ironic because later when the Warriors and Sacramento Kings played an exhibition game in Seattle, Durant was the recipient of much love from the Seattle fans.
While the reader will learn about Durant’s rise to superstar status while he was on Oklahoma City, what the reader learns about Durant’s personality and the conflict between Durant’s inner feelings and the public off-court persona he portrayed makes for some of the best reading in the book and why it is a compelling read. In public, Durant never showed any tattoos for a long time, but he had a lot of ink with significant personal meaning on areas of his body where they would be hidden by clothing in public appearances. Through interviews with other players and research, Thompson achieves something difficult to do – providing the reader with an insightful look into an athlete who is still in the prime of his or her career without interviewing the subject. Of course, it has to be taken that this is the viewpoint of Thompson, but it still comes across as a very interesting topic.
Thompson also discusses at length the most controversial part of Durant’s career – his decision to leave the Thunder two years after declaring he would never go elsewhere and sign with the Warriors, who were already a championship team. There are many reasons that have been discussed in the media before, and Thompson addresses every one of them. Much like Durant’s versatility in his game – a seven footer who has a great shooting touch and an explosive first step – Thompson writes about this controversy with much skill as the reader will finish this part of the book with an understanding of what Durant did. That doesn’t mean those who were angry with this move will accept it – they will just become more informed. A great look inside the career of one of the best in the game today as well as a compelling read, fans of today’s NBA will want to add this one to their libraries.
I wish to thank Atria Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Having already penned one best-selling book about a Golden State star, Stephan Curry, Thompson writes about Durant’s ascent to stardom from Prince George County in the Washington DC metro area, or DMV for DC/Maryland/Virgina as the region is called throughout the book, where he was not only competing but thriving in games against boys older than him. The book then follows Durant to the University of Texas for his one spectacular season for the Longhorns which vaulted him to being the #2 pick in the NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. He had a fine rookie season, being named the Rookie of the Year and followed the team when it moved to Oklahoma City. This time in Durant’s career was my only negative takeaway from the book – there was far too little written about Durant’s time in Seattle almost like it never happened. That is ironic because later when the Warriors and Sacramento Kings played an exhibition game in Seattle, Durant was the recipient of much love from the Seattle fans.
While the reader will learn about Durant’s rise to superstar status while he was on Oklahoma City, what the reader learns about Durant’s personality and the conflict between Durant’s inner feelings and the public off-court persona he portrayed makes for some of the best reading in the book and why it is a compelling read. In public, Durant never showed any tattoos for a long time, but he had a lot of ink with significant personal meaning on areas of his body where they would be hidden by clothing in public appearances. Through interviews with other players and research, Thompson achieves something difficult to do – providing the reader with an insightful look into an athlete who is still in the prime of his or her career without interviewing the subject. Of course, it has to be taken that this is the viewpoint of Thompson, but it still comes across as a very interesting topic.
Thompson also discusses at length the most controversial part of Durant’s career – his decision to leave the Thunder two years after declaring he would never go elsewhere and sign with the Warriors, who were already a championship team. There are many reasons that have been discussed in the media before, and Thompson addresses every one of them. Much like Durant’s versatility in his game – a seven footer who has a great shooting touch and an explosive first step – Thompson writes about this controversy with much skill as the reader will finish this part of the book with an understanding of what Durant did. That doesn’t mean those who were angry with this move will accept it – they will just become more informed. A great look inside the career of one of the best in the game today as well as a compelling read, fans of today’s NBA will want to add this one to their libraries.
I wish to thank Atria Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
August 13, 2020
4.2 Stars
I got this because Kevin Durant is known to be a controversial superstar and I also wanted to learn about his childhood and background story.
Marcus Thompson did a good job talking about KD’s childhood especially DMV hoop because I love how basketball and DMV mold him into to the person/player he is today.Marcus talked about his high school to college career clearly.But I wished he talked about Kevin’s time in Seattle because I loved the way he described the preseason game in Seattle,because I would feel more like a sonic’s fan if he talked about much Kevin meant to Seattle.lastly I think the chapters 7-10(The Hamptons-The next chapter)are very good,especially chapter 8(Kevin Wayne)where it talks about KD’s character,and made me more intrigued with Kevin’s personality.
Overall a very solid book.
I got this because Kevin Durant is known to be a controversial superstar and I also wanted to learn about his childhood and background story.
Marcus Thompson did a good job talking about KD’s childhood especially DMV hoop because I love how basketball and DMV mold him into to the person/player he is today.Marcus talked about his high school to college career clearly.But I wished he talked about Kevin’s time in Seattle because I loved the way he described the preseason game in Seattle,because I would feel more like a sonic’s fan if he talked about much Kevin meant to Seattle.lastly I think the chapters 7-10(The Hamptons-The next chapter)are very good,especially chapter 8(Kevin Wayne)where it talks about KD’s character,and made me more intrigued with Kevin’s personality.
Overall a very solid book.
June 1, 2019
Marcus Thompson's book "KD: Kevin Durant's Relentless Pursuit to be the greatest" chronicles Kevin Durant's life and his basketball career.
The book begins by talking about Prince George County of Washington D.C. The book discusses the crime problem in that county and how challenging it can be to grow up in crime ridden area like Prince George. Durant was born to a single mother and grew up in difficult circumstances. He was raised mostly by his mother, grandmother and great aunt.
Durant honed his basketball skills at the Boys and Girls Club in Capitol Heights, Washington D.C. Durant began playing basketball there when he was 8. Caring workers and volunteers at the club helped Durant develop his basketball skills and his character.
Durant moved around several times during his youth. However, the Boys and Girls club, along with his family, remained the one constant in his life. He spent a lot of time there on the weekends and in the summer.
Thompson also addresses Durant's friendship with Quinn Cook, a reserve for the Golden State Warriors during their 2017-18 championship season. They have been friends since 2008. They knew each other since they both played AAU basketball. Durant played for the older team. They remained friends after Durant went to the University of Texas and then was drafted by the Seattle Super Sonics.
Thompson points out the influence that pick up basketball in Washington played in Durant's life. Thompson says "So Durant's Hoop-It-Up experience came in a chaos of ballers. In the DMV, they play 33: every man for himself, first one to 33 points wins. It was like an inner city basketball version of Royal Rumble. In this mass of hoopers, Durant stood out." Even though Durant was younger than most of the players, he still stood out from the rest. He was an excellent scorer, whom the other teams struggled to stop.
Even after Durant joined the NBA, he stayed present to the Washington D.C area and the local basketball scene. During the offseason, Durant would go back to Washington D.C to watch local pick up games.
Durant played in the McDonalds All American Game during his senior year in high school. Durant scored 25 points, had five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Durant was known for his hard work when he played AAU basketball and when he played high school basketball. People who knew him when he was growing up say his athletic success came from a combination of talent and hard work.
During his senior season in high school, Durant lead his team, National Christian Academy, toa 27-3 record. During his senior season, Durant considered going to college at the University of Connecticut, the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina. Initially, he wanted to go to North Carolina, but his mother said that he should honor a promise that he made to visit the University of Texas.
After he got to the University of Texas, coach Rick Barnes emphasized to Durant that he needed to improve his defense. In film sessions, Durant was singled out by Barnes. This helped Durant to grow as a player. It helped him to improve his defense so that he could become a better all around player.
He played one season at the University of Texas. During that season, Durant scored 25.8 points a game and averaged 11.1 rebounds per contest. He also averaged 1.9 steams and 1.9 blocks a game. He won numerous player of the year awards. Additionally, Durant made the dean's list at the University of Texas.
The Seattle Super Sonics picked Durant with the Number 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. One year later, the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City, where they became the Thunder. Oklahoma City struggled in their debut season, but they gradually got better with Durant and James Harden helping the team to improve. Eventually, they added Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, as they would become one of the best teams in the NBA.
After three seasons with Oklahoma City, Durant signed a five year contract extension to remain with the Thunder. Oklahoma City would continue to make the playoffs, but could not win an NBA championship. Durant played well in the playoffs, but the Thunder could not do enough to win an NBA title.
During the offseasons, during the summer, Durant continued to play basketball on the streets of Washington D.C. Additionally, Durant continued to do charity work in the Oklahoma City area, including visiting patients in an area hospital. Durant made a donation of one million dollars to assist those who were effected by a tornado in Oklahoma.
Durant and Oklahoma City had created a strong bond. Durant had earned a lot of respect from the city, and he felt a real appreciation for the area. There was a real and genuine connection between the two that benefitted both Durant and the city.
However, when he became a free agent after the 2016 season, Durant met with representatives from the Golden State Warriors in the Hamptons. No matter how hard they tried, the Thunder could not defeat the Warriors in the playoffs. Either Oklahoma City would lose the lead in the closing moments of big games, or the Warriors would prevent the Thunder from coming back at the end of important games. Either way, the Warriors had proven to be better than the Thunder.
Coach Steve Kerr showed Durant some of the plays that Golden State would run with him as the focal point. Additionally, the players seemed to be like a family. Durant wanted to join the Warriors. Durant told Thompson that he felt "comfortable" with the Warriors and thought that the Warriors seemed "authentic". He said that the Warriors seemed to "really enjoy pure basketball." In any event, Durant felt like he wanted to join the Golden State Warriors. The meeting simply confirmed his initial desire to become a Golden State Warrior.
Durant's major concern was how Steph Curry would react to Durant's decision to join the Warriors. Curry is the face of the Warriors, and arguably their most important player. Durant was concerned about how he would be accepted by Curry. However, after he met with Curry, Durant felt more comfortable. He was impressed by Curry's humility and this willingness to accept Durant as a teammate.
Before he joined the Warriors, Durant had become more blunt and outspoken with the media. After, he joined Golden State, he has continued to be outspoken and verbally transparent. He has won respect with many for being genuine and honest. He seems to believe in himself and tries to fulfill his potential as a player and a person. This appeals to his fans and the general public.
Nevertheless, Durant has received some criticism for joining the Warriors. Why did one of the game's best players join a team that was already great? Why did one of the game's most talented players join a talent laden team that had already won two Western Conference championships and one NBA championships? Why not stay in Oklahoma City and continue to try and win a title there? These were some of the questions that fans and NBA observers were asking. In many respects, the questions seem fair and relevant.
In any event, Durant has helped the Warriors win two consecutive NBA championships against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Currently, the Warriors are trying to win their third straight NBA title- this time against a tough Toronto Raptor team who lead the series 1-0. Durant is injured, and may not play in the series. He is in the final year of his three year contract. Speculation is rampant that Durant may leave Golden State to join another team.
Durant may stay with the Warriors and try to add to the Golden State dynasty or he may go elsewhere and try and build a championship team. Durant will decide what he wants the next chapter of his career to be.
The book begins by talking about Prince George County of Washington D.C. The book discusses the crime problem in that county and how challenging it can be to grow up in crime ridden area like Prince George. Durant was born to a single mother and grew up in difficult circumstances. He was raised mostly by his mother, grandmother and great aunt.
Durant honed his basketball skills at the Boys and Girls Club in Capitol Heights, Washington D.C. Durant began playing basketball there when he was 8. Caring workers and volunteers at the club helped Durant develop his basketball skills and his character.
Durant moved around several times during his youth. However, the Boys and Girls club, along with his family, remained the one constant in his life. He spent a lot of time there on the weekends and in the summer.
Thompson also addresses Durant's friendship with Quinn Cook, a reserve for the Golden State Warriors during their 2017-18 championship season. They have been friends since 2008. They knew each other since they both played AAU basketball. Durant played for the older team. They remained friends after Durant went to the University of Texas and then was drafted by the Seattle Super Sonics.
Thompson points out the influence that pick up basketball in Washington played in Durant's life. Thompson says "So Durant's Hoop-It-Up experience came in a chaos of ballers. In the DMV, they play 33: every man for himself, first one to 33 points wins. It was like an inner city basketball version of Royal Rumble. In this mass of hoopers, Durant stood out." Even though Durant was younger than most of the players, he still stood out from the rest. He was an excellent scorer, whom the other teams struggled to stop.
Even after Durant joined the NBA, he stayed present to the Washington D.C area and the local basketball scene. During the offseason, Durant would go back to Washington D.C to watch local pick up games.
Durant played in the McDonalds All American Game during his senior year in high school. Durant scored 25 points, had five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Durant was known for his hard work when he played AAU basketball and when he played high school basketball. People who knew him when he was growing up say his athletic success came from a combination of talent and hard work.
During his senior season in high school, Durant lead his team, National Christian Academy, toa 27-3 record. During his senior season, Durant considered going to college at the University of Connecticut, the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina. Initially, he wanted to go to North Carolina, but his mother said that he should honor a promise that he made to visit the University of Texas.
After he got to the University of Texas, coach Rick Barnes emphasized to Durant that he needed to improve his defense. In film sessions, Durant was singled out by Barnes. This helped Durant to grow as a player. It helped him to improve his defense so that he could become a better all around player.
He played one season at the University of Texas. During that season, Durant scored 25.8 points a game and averaged 11.1 rebounds per contest. He also averaged 1.9 steams and 1.9 blocks a game. He won numerous player of the year awards. Additionally, Durant made the dean's list at the University of Texas.
The Seattle Super Sonics picked Durant with the Number 2 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft. One year later, the Sonics moved to Oklahoma City, where they became the Thunder. Oklahoma City struggled in their debut season, but they gradually got better with Durant and James Harden helping the team to improve. Eventually, they added Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, as they would become one of the best teams in the NBA.
After three seasons with Oklahoma City, Durant signed a five year contract extension to remain with the Thunder. Oklahoma City would continue to make the playoffs, but could not win an NBA championship. Durant played well in the playoffs, but the Thunder could not do enough to win an NBA title.
During the offseasons, during the summer, Durant continued to play basketball on the streets of Washington D.C. Additionally, Durant continued to do charity work in the Oklahoma City area, including visiting patients in an area hospital. Durant made a donation of one million dollars to assist those who were effected by a tornado in Oklahoma.
Durant and Oklahoma City had created a strong bond. Durant had earned a lot of respect from the city, and he felt a real appreciation for the area. There was a real and genuine connection between the two that benefitted both Durant and the city.
However, when he became a free agent after the 2016 season, Durant met with representatives from the Golden State Warriors in the Hamptons. No matter how hard they tried, the Thunder could not defeat the Warriors in the playoffs. Either Oklahoma City would lose the lead in the closing moments of big games, or the Warriors would prevent the Thunder from coming back at the end of important games. Either way, the Warriors had proven to be better than the Thunder.
Coach Steve Kerr showed Durant some of the plays that Golden State would run with him as the focal point. Additionally, the players seemed to be like a family. Durant wanted to join the Warriors. Durant told Thompson that he felt "comfortable" with the Warriors and thought that the Warriors seemed "authentic". He said that the Warriors seemed to "really enjoy pure basketball." In any event, Durant felt like he wanted to join the Golden State Warriors. The meeting simply confirmed his initial desire to become a Golden State Warrior.
Durant's major concern was how Steph Curry would react to Durant's decision to join the Warriors. Curry is the face of the Warriors, and arguably their most important player. Durant was concerned about how he would be accepted by Curry. However, after he met with Curry, Durant felt more comfortable. He was impressed by Curry's humility and this willingness to accept Durant as a teammate.
Before he joined the Warriors, Durant had become more blunt and outspoken with the media. After, he joined Golden State, he has continued to be outspoken and verbally transparent. He has won respect with many for being genuine and honest. He seems to believe in himself and tries to fulfill his potential as a player and a person. This appeals to his fans and the general public.
Nevertheless, Durant has received some criticism for joining the Warriors. Why did one of the game's best players join a team that was already great? Why did one of the game's most talented players join a talent laden team that had already won two Western Conference championships and one NBA championships? Why not stay in Oklahoma City and continue to try and win a title there? These were some of the questions that fans and NBA observers were asking. In many respects, the questions seem fair and relevant.
In any event, Durant has helped the Warriors win two consecutive NBA championships against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Currently, the Warriors are trying to win their third straight NBA title- this time against a tough Toronto Raptor team who lead the series 1-0. Durant is injured, and may not play in the series. He is in the final year of his three year contract. Speculation is rampant that Durant may leave Golden State to join another team.
Durant may stay with the Warriors and try to add to the Golden State dynasty or he may go elsewhere and try and build a championship team. Durant will decide what he wants the next chapter of his career to be.
August 23, 2019
There were too many repetitive parts that were extraneous. I began the book hoping for a different angle of Kevin Durant, that there were sides of him outside of the angst and frustration, but the narrative crafted only reinforced what we already know from the very beginning. There were some takeaways, such as the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) community, as well the rich history of the Hamptons, but other than that, if you have followed Durant's career closely, there aren't any earth-shattering revelations. It was a little disappointing that the Brooklyn Nets were not even mentioned as a potential free agency destination. It was also strange that the Game 3 of the 2018 Finals was told first before Game 3 of the 2017 Finals.
March 22, 2024
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a single parent home and strive to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time? This is the exact situation the NBA star Kevin Durant goes through and it's amazing to read about how he overcomes many hardships to become one of the best. The book “Kevin Durant’s Relentless Pursuit to be the Greatest” published in 2019, goes over Kevin Durant’s entire life of basketball. Marcus Thompson II, the author, does a very good job at explaining all of the things he does to improve and step up in the ranks of basketball. At first Kevin Durant, a poor kid living in PG county just outside of Washington DC wanted to make something out of his life and be a professional Basketball player. Additionally, This book is great if you want to widen your NBA knowledge. One of the coolest parts of the book and also one of the helpful parts was the 8 pages of colored pictures in the middle of the book showing Kevin Durant throughout his career. These pictures really helped me get a grip of how good he was and how he had evolved throughout the years. Kevin Durant is 100% one of the top 15 players of all time just by how he helped change the game and I felt this book really helped me grasp his greatness. Although I felt this book was amazing, I felt the length of the book could have been shortened a little. I felt the middle chapters were a little long and felt very slow in terms of pace. One of the things that could help is maybe not going through an entire play by play of a game which I felt made the book feel a little slow, but then again exciting. Overall, I felt this book was fun to read and it made me feel better about my basketball knowledge, so I would give it 4 stars. Concluding, I felt this book was amazing and anyone who has an interest in basketball should read this book so you can widen your knowledge of the game and some of the more recent history, and finally the book Kevin Durant’s Relentless Pursuit to be the Greatest is 100% worth a read.
August 14, 2019
This text describes Kevin’s life starting from birth to becoming a world champion in the NBA. It discusses his hardships he endured on his journey to becoming successful.
Kevin impacted American culture by becoming one of the most famous basketball players and athletes of his generation impacting millions of kids who look up to him.
The theme of this text in my opinion is determination. At many times he had hardships and the only way to move past them was to put his head down and go through it and it got him to where he is now
I would recommend this text to anyone wanting to get an insight on Kevin and his life. It’s a very well written book and I enjoyed reading it.
Kevin impacted American culture by becoming one of the most famous basketball players and athletes of his generation impacting millions of kids who look up to him.
The theme of this text in my opinion is determination. At many times he had hardships and the only way to move past them was to put his head down and go through it and it got him to where he is now
I would recommend this text to anyone wanting to get an insight on Kevin and his life. It’s a very well written book and I enjoyed reading it.
December 5, 2019
I grabbed this off the new biography shelf because I’m a big Warriors fan. Enjoyed learning about his early years. Basketball games in print are not exactly like watching a game on TV!
Was surprised when I Googled Kevin Durant to learn that he has left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, who I have never heard of! I guess for 164 million he doesn’t care what I think!
He seems like a good guy who has done many wonderful, charitable things with his fortune. I wish him luck with his new unknown team. 😱
I plan to read the Steph Curry book by the same author - Steph is who turned me into a NBA Finals nut!
Was surprised when I Googled Kevin Durant to learn that he has left the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, who I have never heard of! I guess for 164 million he doesn’t care what I think!
He seems like a good guy who has done many wonderful, charitable things with his fortune. I wish him luck with his new unknown team. 😱
I plan to read the Steph Curry book by the same author - Steph is who turned me into a NBA Finals nut!
April 10, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. I decided to read this book because I found it in my house while cleaning my room, and I was in need of a new book to read anyway. I thought while being in quarantine would be the perfect time to read it. I thought this book was very inspiring and it helped motivate me and realize why I love basketball. I made me want to work harder so I can be the best I can be in basketball. The language in this book made it so that you could connect to Kevin Durant and all of his personal accomplishments. It made me want to work so hard that I would get those accomplishments one day. I recommend this book to anyone who plays basketball because it is very motivating.
June 17, 2021
I appreciate how Marcus Thompson was able to break down the many different concerns and contexts that surrounded Kevin Durant as a star. I wonder how this may be viewed now that he has returned from a debilitating Achilles injury and takes the reins of the Brooklyn Nets, which apparently became an All-Star team composed of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and Blake Griffin.
But I still think one cannot remove that great big smudge of using all the reasons just to win a championship ring by joining a team that has defeated him. Perhaps only a championship ring could take that awful feeling out.
But I still think one cannot remove that great big smudge of using all the reasons just to win a championship ring by joining a team that has defeated him. Perhaps only a championship ring could take that awful feeling out.
February 26, 2023
I was not much of a KD fan before reading this book. I am a Steph/Warriors fan and was in the "I like the Warriors more when KD is not playing" camp...however, after reading this book, my position has changed. KD has a very inspiring origin story. He overcame a lot of hardships and challenges to get to where he is. A good reminder that everyone has a story and challenges they have had to overcome whether they are a "regular" person or a 7 foot NBA superstar. The last third of the book which covers the Warriors KD era was the most engrossing for me and I could not put it down. Was great to get an insider account of the happenings at that time.
April 17, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital review copy of this book
An interesting read which unfortunately falls into the typical downfalls of unauthorized biographies of athletes who haven't finished their careers. The book does a good job exploring KD's early life in Washington DC and his ascent to NBA stardom as well as delving into the controversy around his free agency decision to join the Warriors. The book feels light on content however as there is still so much of KD's career yet to pan out
An interesting read which unfortunately falls into the typical downfalls of unauthorized biographies of athletes who haven't finished their careers. The book does a good job exploring KD's early life in Washington DC and his ascent to NBA stardom as well as delving into the controversy around his free agency decision to join the Warriors. The book feels light on content however as there is still so much of KD's career yet to pan out
March 9, 2021
Obviously Kevin Durant will remain one of the most controversial players in NBA history for many years to come. There were many logical reasons for his transition from Thunder to Warriors. While reading my book, my main though was; what if GM presti success would the two of them have with Durant, who swapped Westbrook instead of Harden in 2012? Huge question. It was nice to read about Durant's childood and Seattle days.
September 2, 2024
Very enjoyable, entertaining, engaging look at Kevin Durant's journey to being one of basketball's greatest. From his start on the courts & in the parks & gyms of DC's Maryland suburban basketball culture, to AAU, NCAA collegiate play, to earning NBA MVPs & championships, & Olympic gold, this is time well spent in KD's world.
Even more so after watching him being instrumental in team USA winning the gold in Paris at 2024 Olympics.
Highly recommend.
Even more so after watching him being instrumental in team USA winning the gold in Paris at 2024 Olympics.
Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2023
I enjoyed learning more about this newish member of the Suns, but at the same time, it seems weird to have a biography of someone who is (maybe?) still in his prime. I half-hope that this review prompts him to write back (or, less ideally, clap back), as I really do want things to work out and to be a fan!
June 4, 2019
Great deeper insight into KD. As a warrior fan I have always liked Durant. It's amazing how one decision makes people hate you. Maybe we need to look a little deeper into KD the man and realize the dude has been a through a lot and gives a ton back to those who need it.
October 17, 2025
5⭐️ for KD, 2⭐️ for book, averages out to 3.5. Sorry Marcus Thompson! Just expected something less surface level. Probably the nature of a book about someone still in play..The reflective stuff will come later.
June 5, 2019
An incredible account of a truly remarkable human being.
November 6, 2019
Read this right after he tore his Achilles during the 2019 Finals. Durant is one of the most misunderstood players in the NBA, so this book provides deeper insight into his nature and early life.
May 18, 2020
Great book
I enjoyed this book and recommend others read it. You will learn so much about basketball and life. This book is very much worth it.
I enjoyed this book and recommend others read it. You will learn so much about basketball and life. This book is very much worth it.
Read
February 28, 2022This is a good a book and for people who are inspired by basketball players this is a good book for you.
May 5, 2025
Love KD, didn’t love the book. A few chapters were just spitting facts with no story line. Wouldn’t recommend.
Read
September 16, 2025It was exciting to read about the dedication he put into becoming an NBA player.
July 26, 2019
I've read a decent amount of biographies and books on athletes in my time. This was DEFINITELY one of the BEST I've EVER read in this genre. [Let me know if you want to borrow it!]
Now, let me be clear, KD REALLY annoyed me, just like countless others, when he chose to leave OKC and join the GS Warriors a few years ago. To join the team that beat you AFTER they had ALREADY won a championship didn't sit well with me.
This being said, I first heard about this book earlier this week. Then my wife and I ended up at Kinokuniya [our favorite bookstore here in Bangkok] a few days later and...SURPRISE! I saw this book, bought it and read it in less than 24 hours.
This book wasn't the easiest to read. But, don't get me wrong. It also wasn't difficult to read either--it DEFINITELY flowed. It was just that the author, Marcus Thompson II, brought a CLEAR level of sophistication to the layers of KD, which basketball fans have often lacked--including myself. Who is KD? This is the reason I liked this biography so much--it was just clear that the various nuances of who he is were so intentional, masterful, and wisely crafted that I put the book down [the few times that I did] thinking to myself, "That makes a LOT of sense." I was especially impressed with the way Thompson stitched together KD's make-up through brief but clearly relevant history of the DMV [D.C., Maryland, & Virginia] where he grew up, his musical influences as they related to his tats, psychological quotes and analysis, family make-up, etc.
As the book concluded, the decision on his next chapter was explained how KD might process it, which I think was spot on--KD's desire to become the face of a franchise seemed to be how he ended up making his decision.
Again, Thompson produced a gem! I can't wait to read his other one on Stephen Curry--I personally think Klay Thompson and Draymond Green should be written in the not-so-distant future!
Now, let me be clear, KD REALLY annoyed me, just like countless others, when he chose to leave OKC and join the GS Warriors a few years ago. To join the team that beat you AFTER they had ALREADY won a championship didn't sit well with me.
This being said, I first heard about this book earlier this week. Then my wife and I ended up at Kinokuniya [our favorite bookstore here in Bangkok] a few days later and...SURPRISE! I saw this book, bought it and read it in less than 24 hours.
This book wasn't the easiest to read. But, don't get me wrong. It also wasn't difficult to read either--it DEFINITELY flowed. It was just that the author, Marcus Thompson II, brought a CLEAR level of sophistication to the layers of KD, which basketball fans have often lacked--including myself. Who is KD? This is the reason I liked this biography so much--it was just clear that the various nuances of who he is were so intentional, masterful, and wisely crafted that I put the book down [the few times that I did] thinking to myself, "That makes a LOT of sense." I was especially impressed with the way Thompson stitched together KD's make-up through brief but clearly relevant history of the DMV [D.C., Maryland, & Virginia] where he grew up, his musical influences as they related to his tats, psychological quotes and analysis, family make-up, etc.
As the book concluded, the decision on his next chapter was explained how KD might process it, which I think was spot on--KD's desire to become the face of a franchise seemed to be how he ended up making his decision.
Again, Thompson produced a gem! I can't wait to read his other one on Stephen Curry--I personally think Klay Thompson and Draymond Green should be written in the not-so-distant future!
April 18, 2023
Read this book in the hopes of learning something new about Kevin Durant. However it didn't provide me with anything that I didn't already know. The history of the DMV basketball community was insightful, but other parts felt repetitive and redundant.
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