Kevin Durant is a Necessity, not a Luxury to the Warriors
The NBA Finals proved that Durant is vital to the Warriors’ success
Every NBA team needs a “go-to guy” to get them out of trouble when things go south. The Houston Rockets have James Harden. The Minnesota Timberwolves have Karl Anthony Towns. The Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid. The Cleveland Cavaliers have LeBron James. Those players are prime examples.
The Golden State Warriors technically have three playmakers but only one of them is the definitive “best player.”
Kevin Durant has been ostracized by most NBA fans and media thanks to his decision to join the already championship-established Warriors. Durant was already playing for a championship potential team in the Oklahoma City Thunder and was one game away from entering the NBA Finals a second time back in 2016. However, the combined efforts of the “Splash Brothers” (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson) ensured that the Warriors would return to defend the crown and defeat the Thunder in a close series that went to seven games. His decision to head out West to the team that defeated him in the Western Conference Finals made him seem like one of those pro wrestlers in the WWE who “turn heel” and accept the role of the villain in order to achieve popularity.
It worked for his benefit and it showed during this playoff run.
The Warriors definitive playmakers are Curry and Thompson and opposing teams know this whenever they face them. When defenses shut down the Splash Brothers, there needs to be an additional scorer who can take the pressure off of Curry and Thompson. Harrison Barnes was initially supposed to be that guy but he showed that his skills are best suited in another role and is not the ideal scorer on the wing. Draymond Green is a unique power forward who can shoot the three ball, provide excellent assists and play defense against the toughest big men in the league. However, legit scoring playmaker is not his forte either and he could be stopped.
That’s where Kevin Durant comes in and utilizes his skills at a 7'0" small forward.
Durant recorded 43 points (on 15–23 FG!), 13 rebounds, and 7 assists against his game against the Cavaliers this past Wednesday. It’ll more than likely serve as the highlight performance of his career. While Curry and Thompson scored 11 points and 10 points perspectively, they had terrible games thanks to the defensive pressure from the Cavs. Neither player could get a good look and the Cavaliers kept the game close, making it exceptionally difficult for the Warriors to win. Durant kept them afloat for the duration of the game and ensured that they would achieve victory.
“That was amazing what he did out there tonight,” Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said to reporters after the game. “Some of those shots, I don’t think anybody in the world can hit those but him.”
The last time Curry and Thompson had mediocre performances in the Finals, it led to a uproarious comeback from the Cavaliers, immortal performances by the likes of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and even JR Smith. The Warriors became the butt of the league’s jokes for blowing a 3–1 lead over the Cavs. Durant wasn’t brought in because the Warriors wanted to throw the balance of power in the NBA off just for the hell of it. The Warriors NEED Durant because he’s the only other player who can take over the game when necessary.
“Kevin Durant is one of the best players I’ve ever played against, that this league has ever seen,” James told reporters after the game.
Durant is a key figure to the Warriors’ perfected offensive schemes and without him, they’d be a championship caliber team who wouldn’t be guaranteed to win. Thanks to Durant, they are a titan team that can be unstoppable. That’s the goal every franchise strives for every year. The Warriors just happened to be the team to pull it off.
*additional credit to ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Washington Post, DawkinsMTA
