Kevin Durant: NBA's Young Stars 'Don't Give a S--t About What You Did in the Past'

Kevin Durant continues to thrive at the age of 35, averaging 28.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field, 44.3 percent from three and 87.1 percent on free throws.

The game's up-and-coming stars aren't making it easy to put up those numbers and aren't in awe of his past accomplishments, something he respects about the next generation.

"Those older guys didn't want to just say, 'Here, young'un, you the next one up.' You had to try to take that from them," Durant told the Washington Post's Michael Lee. "I'm not going out there and relying on my name and what I've done in the past to get that respect. I respect that about the young players. They don't give a s--t about what you did in the past. It's about today. So that keeps me on point."

As for the young guns looking to take over the league, LeBron James—another older superstar who continues to defy Father Time at the age of 39—offered some advice.

"Learn the history of the game," he said. "Respect the ones that came before you, even when they do disrespect you. It's OK. It's absolutely OK. Know who paved the way. Pour it all into the game—if you want to be great and if you want to be someone that will never be forgotten in this league."

"The cars and the jewelry and all the other dumb s--t that don't matter means absolutely nothing," he continued. "Worry about the game. Worry about your family, and then worry about the game some more. And be selfish, too. It's okay to be selfish because you have to be a little bit selfish to be able to be great. Some people have to fall to the wayside at times."