Wanda Durant, mother of Golden State Warriors small forward and eight-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, never proclaimed to be perfect. She admittedly hit a few bumps along the parenting road. Yet, she still remains the "real MVP" in KD's life -- as he proclaimed when he nabbed the premiere player honor in 2014. Her influence on her children and community even inspired a Lifetime network original movie executive produced by Queen Latifah in 2016, entitled "The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story," which was recently released on DVD.

However, Wanda says her job as a mom is never complete. With KD's recent MCL sprain and bone bruise on his left leg, which may cause him to miss the rest of the regular season, she's sure to stay right by his side. "I want [Kevin] to focus on healing and not to get back into the game until it's time," she added. And it's her sage motherly advice that ultimately helped him become a champion and will aid his return to the court.

When espnW caught up with Mama Durant -- she discussed motherhood, Kevin's decision to join the Warriors (they take on the Celtics on Wednesday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California), his relationship with his former OKC teammate Russell Westbrook, and why parenting isn't about perfection.

espnW: What makes a good parent?

Wanda Durant: There are different levels of parenting as your children mature from babies to adolescents and then adults. But, there is always a [sense of] authority in being a parent. You have to constantly be present. And to do that, there are a lot of sacrifices needed. There is no blueprint.

espnW: You were a single mom to KD and your eldest son Tony. How did you juggle financially supporting them and being present?

WD: I would feel like, "Yes, I was present," but in retrospect, I really wasn't because my mind was on survival. I thought: "How am I going to buy dinner and pay rent? Or get my sons the things they want?" It wasn't that I didn't want to be present, but I learned from those conversations that parents have to be mindful of their presence with their children -- so, I just always tried to keep our lines of communication open.

espnW: You had your son Tony at 18 years old and KD at 21. How, especially at that age, did you come to terms with not being a "perfect mother" -- but, rather a good mother?

WD: There are stages in motherhood. When Kevin was a [pre-teen] and Tony in his early teens, I remember going to my aunt because I was upset with the boys. [At the time] it seemed like they weren't doing anything I wanted them to do. They weren't cleaning up their rooms and getting homework done on time. It was just a laundry list of things.

My aunt, in her profound way, said, 'Wanda, you want too much.' And it was in that instance that I got it. I was worrying my children about things that really didn't matter.

And now as a mother of adult men, I had to learn -- painfully I must say -- that it's not necessary for me to interject my opinion all of the time.

espnW: Do you have any tips for single parents?

WD: One thing I would tell single parents, and this may sound selfish, is to take care of you first. If I'm not spiritually, emotionally or mentally stable, then I cannot expect to instill that in my children. It doesn't always happen that way. I'm an example of that. I was a very broken young woman -- as much as I tried to mask that from my sons by working and pressing so hard. However, it produced fine qualities in my sons as hard workers, so I don't regret it.

I know you have the hustle and bustle with the kids, but you have to find the time and space for you to mature, grow, heal and learn who you are.

espnW: What was your advice to Kevin during the lead up to his decision to join the Golden State Warriors?

WD: I told him that as long as you know what you want to do, I don't care where you play. If you play on the moon, then I'm going to the moon to watch you play. No matter what advice people give you -- even those you trust -- we cannot [work] out the decision for you.

I get a little emotional because Kevin did what we all want to do in our lives, and that's make a decision that we think is best for us. And very seldom do we ask everyone's opinion. Some Oklahoma City fans have been very hurtful, but he's strong and I'm strong. We'll help each other through it. I'm very proud of him because he still owns his decision no matter what others say or think.

espnW: Do you feel Kevin and his [former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate] Russell Westbrook will repair their friendship?

WD: With him and Russ, I don't really get into that because they are men, and men have to work out their issues themselves. Of course if they were kids, Russ' mom and I would step in, but they have to figure it out for themselves and they will. It's that simple. I believe Russ and him love and care for each other. And when you love and care for someone, you go through highs and lows.

What convoluted to this was everyone's commentary on it constantly. That's the part I don't like either. Hopefully that will dissipate soon.

espnW: What guidance have you given Kevin during the recovery stage of his recent injury?

WD: My advice to Kevin, regarding any injury, has always been to focus on healing and not to get back into the game until it's time.

Gianina Thompson (follow her on Twitter @Gianina_ESPN) is ESPN's senior publicist for NBA and MLB on-air personalities and shows. She is sports all day, every day, and lives for overtime games -- unless it's on Thursday nights when she's locked onto "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder."