Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant earned his first NBA Championship and picked up his first Finals MVP award to go with it.
When Kevin Durant arrived in the bay, he knew that he was going to have to play better than he ever has before with all eyes on him. With a shot at his first NBA Championship, Durant had to step up more than ever with the pressure greater than it’s ever been. For five straight games, he did that and then some.
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After the Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, Durant hugged his mother at center court. It’s been all but certain the NBA Finals MVP would be his for a few games now, but he made sure to put the game away in the fourth and finish off the deal once and for all.
Durant finished the night with 39-7-5 and played perhaps his best game yet. Every time the Cavaliers would cut the deficit, the superstar would answer right back with a huge three of his own or a big drive to the hoop. For the NBA Finals, he averaged 35-8-5 for the series and was absolutely ridiculous.
This is all a culmination of Durant’s career up to this point. He had reached the finals during his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but this season saw a completely different side of him at this level.
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His focus was on point every game and his performance in Game 3 is ultimately what clinched the NBA Championship for his team. The big three at the end of the game pushed the series lead the team had to a point the Cavaliers could just not recover.
Durant now has his ring and his legacy in the game has changed. Despite the team being filled with superstars, he has made it his own and that’s why he has taken place among the legends in history now.