Kevin Durant remains one of the most dominant players of his generation—and perhaps in NBA history. Widely considered one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen, Durant recently joined the Houston Rockets, where fans will witness what could be the final chapter of his extraordinary career.
With such a storied resume, one question continues to follow Durant: what is the key to sustained success at the highest level? According to the former league MVP, the answer lies in something intense—even extreme—but deeply honest about the nature of greatness in pro sports.
Durant recently appeared on the “Mind The Game” podcast, hosted by fellow NBA star LeBron James and former Nets head coach Steve Nash. During the conversation, Durant opened up about the mindset it takes to compete and thrive at the level he and James have sustained for over a decade.
“It’s traits you gotta acquire as a human being in order to maintain what you got. And obsession is one of them,” Durant said. His passion for the game has never been in doubt. A now-viral video from last year showed him fine-tuning his jumper in the middle of a nightclub, offering further proof of the obsession that fuels his game.
The Rockets are coming off a surprising 2024–25 campaign that saw them finish as the No. 2 seed in the loaded Western Conference. However, they fell to a veteran Golden State Warriors team in the opening round of the playoffs—a series that exposed their limitations in halfcourt offensive execution.
Houston‘s defense held firm for much of the season and remained strong in the postseason, but the team’s offensive struggles proved costly. The addition of Durant is meant to address that very gap. He brings consistent shot creation and scoring efficiency, two areas that the Rockets desperately needed against elite competition.
Durant is expected to contribute 25+ points per night while also complementing the Rockets’ defensive identity. If he stays healthy and integrates well with Houston’s rising core, the Rockets could be one of the league’s most dangerous dark horses heading into the 2025–26 season.