In this special -- and super-sized -- Mother's Day edition of 5-on-5, we asked seven moms of NBA stars past and present -- the real MVPs -- to share stories and experiences from raising their sons.
1. What is your favorite Mother's Day memory?
Jolinda Wade (Dwyane Wade's mom): Dwyane and my daughter, Tragil, they have always been in competition since they were kids, like, 'Who is going to make Momma the best card?' And Dwyane has always prided himself on being this good writer, and it seemed like he always knew what to say. And he'd always say, "Momma's going to cry when she reads my card."
So always on Mother's Day, they'd give me their cards. I've got four kids, and Dwyane's the only boy. And sure enough, I'd cry every time I read Dwyane's card. And he's running around like, "I told you! I told you!" So that always touched my heart, and that's a memory I'll keep forever because of their competition in expressing their love for me.
Flo Allen (Ray Allen's mom): It was one Mother's Day when I was tired and in bed because I was working two jobs. So I was trying to get some rest, and Ray and his siblings came upstairs and brought me breakfast in bed. But the breakfast they brought me -- they had microwaved everything. They microwaved the eggs, and those eggs were so rubbery. But I had to eat those eggs. It was just the thought that counted. And that's one of the fondest memories I'll always carry.
Wanda Durant (Kevin Durant 's mom): I have several favorites, including school-made Mother's Day cards that I still have, that I every so often reread. I am overwhelmed when I read their declaration of love for me.
And of course, Kevin's MVP Award acceptance speech, which was given a week or so before Mother's Day, of which I've designated as my Mother's Day speech.
Lucille O'Neal (Shaquille O'Neal's mom): My best memory is when we'd all get together and eat as a family. I loved to cook when my children were younger. Even on Mother's Day, as with all of the other holidays, I would do the cooking, and they would be in the kitchen with me, just communicating as a family. And I love that.
Back then, it was hard to cook something very, very special because the funds were limited. I had to take something simple and make it special. I fried a lot of chicken. We ate a lot of macaroni and cheese. And along with vegetables, like greens, it turned out to be our favorite meal on Mother's Day. We all appreciated it. Just the gratitude they showed made it special to me as a mother.
Marie Hollaway (Kyle Lowry's mom): Ever since he's been in the league, every Mother's Day is my favorite Mother's Day because the greatest gift is to watch my son living out his dreams.
Now, he has gotten much, much better with his cards. I can tell he's really taking the time to make sure they're on point. A lot of the time, they used to go in the store and grab any card. But now I've noticed he's taking his time to make sure the card really says what he means.
Michelle Carter-Scott (Vince Carter 's mom): The one that sticks out in my mind was Vince's first year in the NBA. He surprised me with a new Mercedes. The Mercedes was purchased in Columbia, South Carolina, and it was transported to me. When the gentlemen drove up to my house and knocked on my door, he said, "I have a delivery for you. It's a brand-new car."
I looked on the truck, and I could see the Mercedes, and I said, "Sir, you must have the wrong address." And he said, "Are you Michelle Carter?" And I said, "Yes." And he said, "Well, I have the right address." And I immediately began to look for my cell phone to call Vince because I knew he had to be the one to do that.
Mary Babers-Green (Draymond Green's mom): Dray came back to Saginaw for Mother's Day after not seeing him for a while (in 2013) and brought me and my mom Louis Vuitton bags. My mom was so excited. My whole family got together, and it was one of those times after my dad had passed away. That was probably the best one.
2. What was it like raising your NBA son?
Babers-Green: Draymond was a brat. He was my baby. I did not let no one touch him, bother him, say nothing to him. But he was a helper. He did everything for me around the house. He was a good kid.
It was bad because he was spoiled. He knew I was going to let him get away with it when he went and did stuff. He was little. He was just my baby.
O'Neal: Shaquille was special because all the dreams that he used to share with me when he was coming up, almost all of them have come true. And what I realized was the investment and sacrifices that his father and I made, it was so that he could have the life that he dreamed of. And everything we had, we poured into him -- or we tried to the best that we could. And I always felt that when you see a gift in your child, you try to do all you can to nurture that. That's what we did when we saw that gift in Shaquille.
Wade: We know I didn't raise him straight through. He went to live with his father some of the time. Dwyane was my only son, so that made him a special pride in my heart, and even though I was in the struggles that I had, it didn't stop me from operating in the motherly role that I had. He used to like to sit up under me all the time, watching TV and cartoons.
When the [separation] came, he was able to recognize that he was still raised with a lot of love to become the man that he is today. I actually confronted Dwyane when he became this person that God called him to be as a basketball star. I wanted him to get off his chest how he really felt about me. I wanted to know if he felt like I abandoned him. And I said, "I'm ready. Come on, son. Tell me how you really feel about me and what happened." And I love him so much. He said, "Mom, no, Mom. I just assumed this is the way it was supposed to be. So why be mad at you?"
Durant: Kevin was dedicated early to his dream of becoming an NBA player, so for me, I had to be consistent, always helping him remain focused on his dream and helping him to remain focused on the timeframe that he was in. When playing AAU or playing college ball, my goal was for him to focus on what was required at that time.
Allen: What I've always told everybody about Ray is what you see is what you get. He was always so coachable and listened. He knew what he wanted at an early age, and he never wanted to hang out. It was just going to school. They knew as long as they did what was expected at home and in the classroom, they could play any sport that they wanted. So Ray always had a basketball in his hand. He would come in, want to eat and then head back out across the street to play basketball.
Hollaway: Kyle had his first basketball probably before he could walk. I was really good at softball in high school and was All-State, so he always had sports around him. The thing about Kyle was that he loved to play baseball when he was little, but he had no concept of ever stopping at first base when he hit the ball. He would hit the ball, and no matter where it went, he was going to run past first and then all around the bases. I don't care if he hit it back to the pitcher. He would just keep running. It would always catch everyone off-guard, so he would always be safe. And a lot of time, he wouldn't stop at second base, either. And it was just the funniest thing to watch.
As far as basketball, when he was about 9 or 10, that's when I noticed he was a little different from everyone else. But I never realized he could be in the NBA until somebody told me when he was at Villanova he'd be a pro.
Carter-Scott: It was baffling for me. I'm an educator and was a business teacher at the time Vince was really getting into basketball. So I was the last one who admitted that he even had a chance. It wasn't until the end of his sophomore year at UNC when I came to grips with he's got a pretty good shot at this. I talked to Dean Smith, and sure enough, the staff told him he was ready to go. Well, I made him sign a contract that if he left early, he would go back to get his degree. I said, "Sign here."
It was just for the impact of letting this young man know that I mean business. It may have been on a sheet of paper or a napkin or something. And as he matured after his sophomore year, he understood the value of his education. He ended up going back during the summers -- not because it was expected of him by me but because he knew it was best for him.
3. What is it like watching your son play an NBA game?
Durant: I watch the game for the entertainment element but more so to see how Kevin plays his game during each possession, I know his game so well, so I think, therefore, I believe I know when he should pass or shoot. Ultimately, I'm elated to see my son living out his dream.
Hollaway: I've always been calm until this first-round playoff series this year. I knew how much pressure it was on all of those guys to get out of the first round. The fact that he's been struggling kept me on edge because I just wanted him to be good, and I wanted him to be OK. And I know how hard he works to this moment. So for him to be having the offensive struggles that he's had, it's hard. To hear the comments and read the comments about him, it's just hard.
I didn't go to Game 7 [against Indiana], but I wouldn't have made it through that. Even just watching it in the house, my heart was palpitating, I had a headache, and it was just ... oh, my goodness. When that clock hit zero, I exhaled that night so hard I could have blown a house down. Now, I'm hoping he can just relax and play.
Babers-Green: I still have to double-take at the TV when he is in a commercial. Now, when I'm at a game, it's different because I've always been at all the games. But watching him on TV, there is always that surreal moment where you pinch yourself and say, "That is Day-Day out there."
Allen: I'm all in it. Being in the stands is tough. But I went to every game because I knew Ray would look up in the stands to see if we were there. So one year in the playoffs, he said, "Mom, what's up with the jersey?"
What people didn't realize is that bling No. 20 Celtics jersey became so noticeable because Ray wore No. 34 from high school all through college and with his first two NBA teams. But when he got to Boston, he couldn't wear No. 34 because Paul [Pierce] wore it. So [Ray] wore No. 20. And when I walked into the arena, all I saw was 34s and 5s [Kevin Garnett's number in Boston].
So it never sat well for me, so I said I was going to make No. 20 the most memorable number. So I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics and got all these bedazzled diamonds, the fabric and glue. And one night I sat up all night and blinged that jersey out. And I just wanted Ray to know a number is just a number. But it's all about what you put into it. I wore the bling jersey as a proud mom too because he represented the league so well.
Carter-Scott: The first few years, I was very nervous. Vince would glance at me, and I'd point to my head like, "Think." As he became a seasoned veteran, it became more like, "Keep it cool. Don't get rattled."
And now, we're in like Year 15, 16, 17 and 18, and I think back to the first few years when I was like, "This thing will last about four or five years, and then it'll be over. He'll go back somewhere to teach history and coach, so he should have a very nice life." But now he's in Year 17. So now I'm like, "Well, I guess he knows what he's doing."
But I see when he talks to the younger players and give them advice, and he still has a purpose in this league. It makes me feel so good when I hear about Vince taking guys under his wing.
Wade: Can I be honest with you? It's like I'm playing too. I'll be over there telling him, "OK, this is what we're going to do." It is such an awesome experience for me. I remember telling my son -- I always text him and encourage him before every game -- I feel like I'm part of the team. I'm part of the coaching staff. I'm Momma Coach texting him now.
But he literally takes my breath away, you hear me? The things he does. The way he sacrifices his body. This new Father Prime [nickname], I love it. To see him step into this leadership role, I don't think there's any words to explain it. I just tell him, 'Baby, you just take your momma's breath away.'
O'Neal: I was nervous because I didn't want him to get hurt. And then, every time he played the games, I wanted him to win all the time. But it was so stressful because when your child has a dream, and then to see the dream come true, we always told Shaquille to go out there and make it fun. We know it was his job. We know he was well-paid to do it. But we wanted him to make sure he was always having fun because we enjoyed watching him. That made it special.
When I was in the arena, around all the people, you'd listen to all the buzz and the negative things they would say. You'd have to curb your tongue because as soon as they'd say something, you'd want to say something right back to them. But you turn around and have to just be quiet. So I'd just always rather watch the games at home.
4. What drives you crazy about your son?
O'Neal: Sometimes some of Shaquille's antics would drive me crazy. Now, he is a very funny guy. But sometimes, I've got to say, "Shaquille, come on now." No one is even laughing at that. But he'd laugh at some things that people take seriously. But sometimes that would drive me crazy.
But I love him for the man that he is, and he has a great sense of humor and a great love of people. He made that [TNT game night] show even better. Because it used to be kind of dry. But it's so much better now and is so fun to watch. I love the way they go at each other now, and they make people smile. I see people I don't even know on the street, and they say, "Shaquille just cracked me up last night."
Durant: The one thing that still drives me crazy about Kevin is that he thinks I don't know the game of basketball.
Babers-Green: When Draymond is yelling at the referees. That drives me insane because we were always taught that you might be playing against a sixth man or seventh one, depending on what is going on with the refs. The refs are a part of the game. Regardless to what the call is, you got to play through it, keep moving and keep going. Regardless. Don't turn around and yell like the refs did something so wrong. Just play ball, man.
Hollaway: Kyle thinks he's "growner" than me. He thinks he knows more than I know. Granted, he lives a life I don't know much about, so it's crazy. You know what else bothers me? He doesn't think I'm funny. Everyone else thinks I'm hilarious, but he just doesn't laugh at anything I do. I'm not just a 24-hour-a-day jokester, but I'm pretty funny. But he laughs at nothing I say.
His friends, they think I'm hilarious. But he's the only one who doesn't think I'm funny. I think he just wants to make people believe he's the only comedian in the family. But Kyle is hilarious. You should see Kyle and DeMar [DeRozan] together. They're just two funny dudes. And it's real. That's how they are.
Allen: The only thing that drives me crazy about Ray is you can't get him off that dang golf course. He's on that course all the time, and I don't get my visits from him like I'd like to get them. If there's a tee time, Ray's going. And I'm like, "OK, well, can I compete with the golf course?" That's my only thing. You just can't get him off the golf course.
Carter-Scott: Vince is very set in his ways. And there are some things with him, there's just no changing him. Save your breath. Don't waste your time. There's a definite right way and a wrong way to do things for Vince. Sportsmanship. Professionalism. His job. Sometimes he can drive you crazy because there are certain things where there's simply no bending.
Wade: I always stay in Dwyane's ear some type of way. Even when Shaq was there [in Miami], I always told him, "Baby, God sent Shaq to that team not just for [Shaq] but for you too. And whatever God has meant for you to get from [Shaq], you just get it and go through it.
5: What advice would you give future NBA moms?
Allen: The advice I'd give to new NBA moms is we have to stay humble too. This is our sons' career. The only thing our sons owe us is respect, so we need to be real. We're not their friends. We need to be that ear that they need because there's so much out there.
You're talking about the women and all the different things that can hurt our guys, and we have to be the ones to sit there and tell them, especially when they first come in, about the things that can hurt them and not be afraid to say it. I don't care how much money Ray's made, I'm still mom. And we just try to keep all the young moms humble and tell them don't try to reap all the benefits all the time. Just be mom.
Our sons will sometimes say, "Well, I'm grown and this and that." But if anything goes wrong and something happens, the first person they call is mom. And we need to be able to stay grounded and stay humble so they will always want to pick up that phone and call us. Because we're the ones who'll tell them what's right and what can hurt them.
Babers-Green: Be there for them. A lot of them think they're grown, but they are making decisions on things that they still know nothing about. Just be willing to still listen to your parents. Always be receptive to listening to somebody other them themselves.
O'Neal: I would tell them to be secure in their position. I tell them, "Don't forget that you're the mother. Not the girlfriend. Continue to be involved in their lives." We sit on the sideline and we cheer, yes. But these guys and these women are sometimes scared to get involved in the communities, so we need to help them be involved and take a stand. Because we become a representative of them, as opposed to when they were younger, when they were a representative of us.
So when the light is shining on them, we tend to lose our identity. It's "I'm Shaq's mom" or it's "Dwyane Wade's" mom. We say we're not supposed to change, but we do need to grow up and grow into this part of it. You're still in position as the mother and everything that goes with that. You need to make sure you stay on track.
Hollaway: Make sure whatever team or city their sons go to, make sure to make it a home for them. Help them as much as possible feel like it's their home. Get their furniture, their favorite TV, whatever. You need to make his house a home.
When he comes home from practice or those late-night road trips, he needs his house to be a home. He needs his own favorite chair to sit in and his favorite mug. That was one piece of advice I got that was really on point. Just keep it simple. Of course, he's going to want to go out and buy new cars and stuff. But make sure whatever they do is smart.
Carter-Scott: Do whatever you can to encourage your child to go to college and get their education. Coming from Dr. Michelle Carter-Scott, the retired educator, what else am I going to say? You've got to have a Plan A, a Plan B and probably a Plan C. You hope you don't have to get to B and C, but you never know.
I watch the draft every year, and every now and then, I'd say, "Well, you know, whatever happened to blank? They left after one year, and they're not in the league now. And I wonder what are they doing now." That's especially for our African-American males. I'd tell them to make sure their sons get that education, that insurance policy behind them. And that insurance policy is that degree.
Wade: I'd give them the same advice that Lucille O'Neal gave me. I felt when I first came in, I felt like I was out of place. I didn't see where I fit. And Lucille O'Neal told me, "One thing about it, Sister Wade, can't nobody take your place." And that's the encouragement I would give to the moms and the dads as they come into this because our kids' lives get busy and so many people come into their world.
You start to feel like, "OK, where do I fit in?" I would tell them the same thing: that no one can take your place. Take advantage of the technology today. Text your baby. No matter where they are, they're going to read that text. And whether they hit you back or not, they're still going to read it. Just be comfortable with who you are in your space, and you won't go through a lot of things that a lot of moms went through. It's a place I went through.
Durant: My advice to future NBA parents is to always remain the parents -- the parents that will praise and critique just as you did when they were children, to not be afraid to say the much-needed tough comments.
ESPN.com writers Michael Wallace and Royce Young, and The Undefeated's Marc Spears, contributed to this article.