Kevin Durant won the 2014 NBA MVP award and the hearts of people all across the world when he spoke to his mother, “You sacrificed for us. You are the true MVP.”

The speech’s video and words went viral immediately, inspiring millions of people, Mother’s Day ads, and, eventually, the development of a film, “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story,” which aired Saturday night on Lifetime.

“I never thought that him mentioning me in a speech for an award he deserved the accolades for would inspire a movie about my life,” she said.

Durant’s agent Gina Ford and business manager Brynee Baylor felt the complete narrative should be told six months after the heartwarming speech and global response. After approaching Flavor Unit about the project, they fell in love with it, and Queen Latifah joined as Executive Producer. Flavor Unit pitched the concept to Lifetime, and the rest is history.

At the age of 21, “Mama Durant,” as she is popularly known, was a single mother with two sons. Though Kevin mentioned various people in his speech, including his brothers, friends, and father, he became emotional when discussing his experiences with his mother.

He described his family moving about and then finally getting their own apartment at one point. “I had lived with my mom and stayed with other people for short periods of time,” Durant recalled. “I think that’s why [the experience] resonated so deeply with Kevin; I wanted it to be that moment; that we finally had our own home, the three of us,” she explained.

The film recreates a scene between Durant and her boys in an empty living room, which can be seen in the teaser. Durant thinks Flava Unit did an excellent job, particularly in casting Cassandra Freeman, who plays her in the film. “I often said, she made my story believable to me, and I know the story,” she added.

She liked her time with Cassandra in addition to recording her brief cameo. “When we were together that day [the first day they met], it was as if we were old friends — as if I were her older cousin or auntie.” “She got my voice just from the brief interaction we had,” Durant revealed.

Years before her son’s live love letter to her, Durant inspired others around the country as a public speaker by sharing her faith and life. “After Kevin had a charity game during the NBA lockout, he had made a substantial donation to the Single Parent Network,” Durant recalls. They wanted him to present the donation, but he suggested I do it because it was more important to me, as it was for single parents.”

She was startled by the audience’s emotions, and her urge to share her tale with others deepened. “I started to realize my purpose in life and share my life story to inspire people dream, believe and achieve.”