Moe Wagner to Kevin Durant: 'You Can't Guard Me' Orlando Magic Center Recalls Rookie Encounter

As a hotheaded rookie, Orlando Magic center Moe Wagner barked at Kevin Durant in a hilarious altercation.
In this story:

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
Moe Wagner / Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

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.

Joe Ingles 'All About Winning', Says Jamahl Mosley

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. 


Published
Jonah Kubicek
JONAH KUBICEK

Jonah Kubicek has been writing about the NBA since 2021, covering the Pistons, Jazz, Spurs, Magic, Rockets, and Knicks. As a lifelong Spurs fan living in Michigan, he never misses an opportunity to bring up the 2005 NBA Finals (you should have guarded Horry!). He is a long-suffering Tigers fan and closely follows the NFL, although he never found an affinity for the Lions. Jonah graduated from Oakland University with a degree in History and spends his spare time playing tennis or reading. Follow Jonah on Twitter for updates on Tre Jones and other NBA news.