The Golden State Warriors’ MVPs Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will need to get on the same page in the playoffs to destroy teams.
The Golden State Warriors have the best duo in basketball. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant is a dream combo that seemed possible only in a video game. It isn’t everyday that a team can pair two of the league’s top three players.
The league has never seen two MVPs come together in the primes of their career. Curry just had the greatest individual season of all-time as he led his team to 73 regular season wins. Then, in the offseason, he recruited one of the greatest scorers of all-time.
Of course, when you put together that kind of talent, it takes time. The players have to develop chemistry and learn to play together. So, early on, it wasn’t smooth.
Curry and Durant were trying to figure each other out. The Warriors were trying to incorporate their superstar acquisition into what they do. As a result, Curry took a step back. He conceded the offense and the team to his new teammate.
There were moments of tension where the two future Hall of Famers weren’t on the same page. The most notable instance was during the Warriors’ collapse versus the Memphis Grizzlies at home. Both Curry and Durant found themselves in an awkward situation where they played as individuals during the most crucial parts of the game. It looked like the type of thing Durant left Russell Westbrook for.
But then there are times where they look like they’re in sync. Like when they connected for one of the most impressive alley-oops you’ll ever see. Or when they combined for big scoring nights in relatively effortless victories.
The playoffs are made for stars. It’s important to have well-rounded teams, but it’s the superstars who need to shine when the pressure is on. They need to lead.
The Warriors have several so it’s important that they get in sync. Golden State is going to need Curry and Durant’s two-man game to be on point. They need to utilize each other’s talents.
The MVP tandem looked like they were clicking over the last few games of the season. Curry took the lead and Durant played off of him. They let each other be great.
Golden State will need that in the postseason. When the games slow down to a grinding halt, they’ll need to look to each other. Whether it’s a pick-and-roll or just a two-man game from the perimeter to the post, the Warriors will win if they figure it out.
That also means Steve Kerr needs to go to it more. He needs to just let his best players go to work. Sometimes the solution is simple: put the ball in your stars’ hands.
Durant is arguably the best post scorer in the game right now. Curry is, clearly, the best three-point shooter in the world. Having the two of them on the same side just playing ball with each other can really disrupt even the best defenses. Neither guy can be given an inch of space and they both need extra defenders to help.
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If the Warriors can unleash that, then it’ll really break teams down. It’s imperative that those guys get going. Even though Klay Thompson can carry the team, Golden State will go as far as Curry and–to a lesser extent–Durant will take them.
The league is already at a disadvantage with the fact that the Warriors have so much talent. If Curry and Durant can get rolling together, it’s over.