With Warriors’ 2017 NBA Championship Win, Kevin Durant Silenced His Critics

June 13, 2017 | Posted at 6:43 pm | by Kylan (Follow User)

The 2017 NBA Finals was marketed as a trilogy to the most anticipated rivalry in basketball between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors dominated throughout the NBA Finals, on their way to winning their 2nd title in three years. The Warriors won in a competitive Game 5 by a score of 120-109.  The reason for that dominance and the win was Kevin Durant.  Durant has used his 2nd career finals appearance as a coming out party to show that he truly is one of the top players in the league, and making an argument that he may be the best player in the world.

 

Durant is currently the top scorer in the finals this year, he is averaging 34.0 points per game, he has grabbed 10.0 rebounds per game, and is averaging 6.0 assists per game ( http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2017-nba-finals-cavaliers-vs-warriors.html).  Not a bad outing for a player that has not been in the finals in five years.

 

Throughout the 2016-2017 NBA season, Durant has been maligned for joining the Golden State Warriors in July 2016. Many fans and some experts have blamed Durant for making this NBA season boring. 

 

However, Durant had the final laugh this season as he and the Warriors won Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Helping the Warriors to become new NBA Champions.  Durant has made the difference for the Warriors who lost in 7 games to the Cavs in the 2016 NBA Finals. 

 

The Warriors blew a 3-1 lead last year and were looking to build a team that could dominate the Cavaliers. Durant was the additional piece the Warriors needed to not only dominate the Cavs, but the rest of the league as well.  Durant has put his personal stamp on the Warriors.

 

>Durant’s presence has given the Warriors a closer. He served that closer role well, as he hit a dagger three-point shot to give the Warriors the lead in Game 3.

 

Durant has made the finals his own dominance party, showing everyone who is watching that he made the right decision in coming to Golden State. Receiving the first ring of his career, Durant has validated his decision and silenced his critics.