In sports, few moments are as impactful as Kevin Durant’s memorable speech at the 2014 NBA MVP awards. During his first MVP win, Durant delivered a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Wanda, calling her “the real MVP,” a phrase that has since become iconic in basketball culture. The emotional significance of his speech was heightened by its proximity to Mother’s Day.
Today, the legacy of that speech endures, particularly in the world of sneakers. Over a decade later, we now see a new colorway of the Nike KD 4, honoring this milestone in Durant’s career.
As revealed in images shared by @solesbyzay_backup, the Nike KD 4 features custom elements that pay homage to Durant’s speech and his MVP title. The insoles display the famous “you the real MVP” on one side, with an image of Durant in a basketball trophy on the other. The design is further elevated with gold accents, including a gold basketball on the tongue, gold Swooshes, and KD branding.
While the blue and white colors don’t directly reference the moment, they may draw inspiration from the sharp blue suit Durant wore that night—marking a career-defining moment for him.
The Nike KD 4 “MVP Award” will release in Spring 2025 at a price of $150, following the 2024 retro collection that brought back popular early 2010s colorways. Sneaker enthusiasts are already anticipating this tribute to a pivotal moment in sports history.