Kevin Durant's shot in Game 3 over LeBron James stands out as a defining moment of his career. The shot helped the Warriors take a 3-0 lead over the Cavaliers but it was also symbolic for Durant with what James has meant to him personally.

“That was the best moment I ever had,” Durant told GQ. “I made the game-winning shot in the finals against my (expletive) idol. Somebody that I really, really, really followed since I was a ninth-grade high schooler. I felt like he was passing the torch to me.”

James' decision to leave Cleveland for Miami was influential in what Durant decided to do.

“He's four years older than me, so he's still the big homie. But I'm on the same level as a basketball player. Off the court, I can learn a thing from you. But as a basketball player, I feel like it's 1A, 1B. And that's an accomplishment for me.”

Durant said he thinks about his shot over James nearly every day.

“That feeling was amazing,” he said. “But also, I'm gonna put that memory to the side when I start up again and just go play.

“It feels like…it's a weird year,” Durant said. “It is weird. But I still had fun. Right? You can have a weird year and still have fun.”

Durant's decision to join the Warriors in 2016 was as much about personal growth as it was basketball.

“I chose to take control of my life, and I think that was a huge step for me personally, and I felt really proud,” said Durant.