Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA champion and one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, has often been vocal about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. In a recent interview, Durant offered a deep and personal explanation of the mindset that separates winners from losers, focusing on passion, resilience, and the mental fortitude required to thrive in professional sports. Having been through the highest highs and most challenging lows, Durant’s reflections on what it means to be a winner and a loser provide invaluable insights into the psychology of success.
For Durant, passion is the driving force behind everything he has achieved on the court. While his physical gifts—his height, wingspan, and shooting touch—are undeniable, Durant believes that passion is what truly separates winners from those who fall short. Talent alone, according to Durant, is never enough. It’s the love for the game, the willingness to dedicate countless hours to perfecting one’s craft, and the relentless pursuit of greatness that define a true winner.
“You have to love what you do. Without passion, it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go your way,” Durant explained. “Winners are the ones who keep pushing, even when nobody is watching, because they’re driven by something deeper.”
Durant’s passion for basketball has been evident since his early days. From playing pickup games as a kid to becoming one of the NBA’s most elite players, Durant’s love for the game has never wavered. His commitment to improvement—whether it’s honing his shooting, working on his defense, or maintaining his conditioning—stems from this passion, and it’s this inner fire that has fueled his illustrious career.
While many fans see Durant as a winner because of his NBA championships and MVP accolades, he is no stranger to failure. Durant has faced significant setbacks throughout his career, including injuries, tough playoff losses, and the public scrutiny that came with his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors in 2016. However, rather than letting these challenges define him, Durant sees failure as an essential part of growth and success.
“Failure is part of the process. You can’t let it break you; you have to let it motivate you,” Durant said. “If you’re afraid of failing, you’ll never take the risks necessary to succeed.”
Durant’s ability to embrace failure and learn from his mistakes is a crucial element of his mindset. For instance, after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals, many doubted whether he would ever return to his peak form. However, Durant approached the injury with the same resilience he has shown throughout his career. Instead of giving up, he focused on his rehabilitation and returned to the NBA as dominant as ever, leading the Brooklyn Nets deep into the playoffs in subsequent seasons.
For Durant, every failure represents an opportunity to improve, whether it’s on the court or in life. It’s not about avoiding failure—it’s about responding to it with the right mindset.
Durant also stresses the importance of confidence in the mindset of a winner. In his view, a winner is someone who believes in their abilities, even when the odds are stacked against them. Confidence, however, isn’t about arrogance or complacency. For Durant, confidence comes from preparation and knowing that you’ve put in the work.
“You can’t just show up and expect to win,” Durant said. “Winners prepare. They put in the hours when nobody’s looking. And that’s where real confidence comes from.”
Durant’s preparation is legendary. Even during the offseason, when many players take time to rest, Durant is known for his grueling workout routines and commitment to improving every aspect of his game. This constant pursuit of perfection is what gives him the confidence to perform under pressure, whether it’s in a Game 7 of the playoffs or in a high-stakes free-throw situation.
However, confidence alone isn’t enough. Durant emphasizes that winners must also have mental toughness—the ability to stay focused and composed in the face of adversity. The NBA season is a grueling marathon, filled with ups and downs, and Durant believes that it’s the players who can maintain their focus and poise during difficult moments who ultimately come out on top.
“Things are going to get tough. You’re going to have bad games, you’re going to lose, you’re going to hear criticism,” Durant explained. “But winners don’t let that stuff get to them. They stay focused on the goal and keep moving forward.”
According to Durant, the difference between winners and losers comes down to mindset. While some people define winners by the number of championships or individual accolades they’ve accumulated, Durant believes that a winning mindset is about more than just results. It’s about passion, resilience, confidence, and the willingness to embrace challenges and failures along the way.
“Everyone loses at some point,” Durant said. “It’s not about how many times you fall—it’s about how many times you get back up. That’s what makes a winner.”
Durant’s approach to winning and losing extends beyond basketball. His mindset is one that can be applied to all areas of life, from personal relationships to business ventures. Whether someone is pursuing a career, working on a personal project, or facing life’s inevitable challenges, Durant believes that the mindset of a winner is essential for success.
Kevin Durant’s reflections on the mindset of a winner and loser offer a blueprint for anyone seeking success, both in sports and in life. His emphasis on passion, resilience, confidence, and mental toughness shows that being a winner isn’t just about winning games—it’s about how you approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities. For Durant, the journey to greatness is never easy, but it’s the mindset you bring to every step of that journey that ultimately defines whether you succeed.
In his own words: “It’s about loving the grind, staying focused, and never being afraid to fail. That’s what makes a champion.”