Moe Wagner to Kevin Durant: 'You Can't Guard Me' Orlando Magic Center Recalls Rookie Encounter
Before being drafted 25th overall and becoming a serviceable backup center before finding a home with the Orlando Magic, Moe Wagner was one of the best college players in the country.
He led three-seeded Michigan to a final matchup with Jalen Brunson and Villanova, and then took a ‘I can do anything’ attitude to the NBA.
Moe Wagner
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That spirit of confidence was quickly shattered by none other than NBA legend Kevin Durant when he played for the Golden State Warriors. In a recent appearance on the Pardon My Take Podcast, Wagner recounts his Welcome To The NBA Moment alongside his brother, Franz Wagner, who was laughing at him.
“I talk a lot, obviously,” Wagner said. “One of the first times I matched up against Kevin Durant–dude, I’m a huge NBA fan, I know all these guys from YouTube, I watched all these games at night, Franz and I would get up at night and watch these players–so all of a sudden I’m on the court with them and obviously that first year I’m a little starstruck.”
While playing alongside a childhood hero at the height of powers might be a humbling experience, Wagner accidentally barked in Durant’s ear. “I’m on a pick-and-pop three and he fouls me and I didn’t realize it was him so I turned around and was like, ‘You can’t guard me.’ I have no credibility whatsoever at this point and it’s Kevin Durant I just talked smack to,” Wagner laughed.
The aftermath? Shooting three free throws with Durant, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins all chirping at him from the paint. Wagner admits he missed two of the three shots.
Durant is a surefire Hall-of-Famer and Wagner is not even a starter, and Durant may have taken it personally. Since Wagner came to Orlando in 2021, Durant’s teams are 3-1 in games the Slim Reaper suited up for.
The Magic travel to Phoenix to take on Durant and the Suns on New Year's Eve for the first of two matchups this season.
