Are the Warriors better without Kevin Durant?
Podcast:
The Golden State Warriors are going to a fifth straight NBA finals. This is a remarkable feat. They have won three of their last four finals appearances. Kevin Durant has won the Finals MVP the last two times. But after KD went down with an injury during the series against the Rockets, there has been talk that the Warriors are better without the former MVP and scoring champion. People must’ve forgot who Kevin Durant is.
Durant is averaging 34 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists so far in the postseason. The 7-foot sniper has been at the head of the Warriors offense all playoffs, so to think that Golden State does not need KD is ridiculous. The ball does stick a little more and there is more isolation basketball with KD on the court but teams don’t have the luxury of having arguably the greatest scorer in NBA history on their side. KD has all the tools of a basketball assassin, 7-feet, long arms, quick feet, handle to create for himself, passing ability to create for others, a silky smooth jumper, the ability to attack the rim, it’s nothing he cannot do on the basketball court.
Without Durant on the court, the Warriors have an offensive rating of 106.9 compared to 120.9 with him on the court. The assist percentage drops from 67.0 to 66.4 without KD and the pace drops from 101.5 to 96.6. (Stats via https://www.basketball-reference.com/) So according to the stats offensively, the Warriors are clearly better with KD. The offensive does look more fluid and the ball is moving around more without KD. When the ball sticks in KD’s hands, it does make the Warriors more predictable because the opposing team knows that the ball is going to Durant. The key that makes the champions so deadly is that their ball and player movement. Players are moving without the ball and setting screens for each other. Here’s an example of Stephen Curry moves without the ball, which makes him so dangerous:
Ball movement is the key in winning a championship. Everyone is touching the ball, everyone in contributing, everyone is happy and playing hard. No team has ever won with just one player dominating the game.
But in terms of overall talent, a team would never be better without a player of Durant’s magnitude. They have the luxury of getting Durant the ball and just say “Ok KD make something happen”. That’s just how gifted of a player he is. Durant is arguably the best player in the league. So to think a team without the best player in the league is blasphemous. Let’s just hope KD bounces back from his injury and remind people who he is.
The Stop and Pop
Basketball Analysis & Media Outlet
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