Kevin Durant led the Golden State Warriors to a Game 3 win in the NBA Finals with his huge three-pointer that was the Best Playoff Moment and so much more.
Kevin Durant’s Game 3 shot over LeBron James was named the Best Playoff Moment by NBA fans. It was a truly spectacular display of confidence and skill. It also became a signature moment for Durant.
The 2014 MVP fell in the 2012 NBA Finals to James’ Miami Heat. It was one of those rare instances where the losing team could leave feeling proud. It was a huge step for the young Oklahoma City Thunder team and it was supposed to be just the beginning.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
The Thunder decided to cut costs and traded James Harden. And, while Russell Westbrook and Durant continued to develop and grow into elite players, they couldn’t get back to the championship series. The held a 3-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors in 2016, but the Dubs overcame that and defeated them in seven games.
After Durant made his controversial decision to join the Warriors, every aspect of his professional and personal life was questioned. Critics said that he couldn’t lead a team and he was only looking for the “easy way out.” He couldn’t close out games or a series.
Durant silenced all of those doubters in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. It looked like the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to successfully defend their home court after the series shifted to the Quicken Loans Arena. They were in control well into the fourth quarter.
The Warriors’ superstar free agent acquisition had other ideas though. He led an 11-0 run to end the game and pull off the comeback. No shot was more spectacular than his pull-up three in James’ face.
It was absolutely nasty. It was almost disrespectful. He didn’t care that the King was in front of him because all he thought of was the crown that he was in the process of stealing.
Durant’s shot is iconic. It won the Best Playoff Moment of this year, but it will stand the test of time. He is one of the greatest players of all-time and that is a signature moment for him. It’s going on his career mixtape.
It was also a wake up call to the rest of the league. That shot sent a league-changing message. It said: the Warriors cannot be beat.
The Cavaliers played a really good game and Durant’s shot gave the Warriors the lead late in the fourth. It was also one of the best moments over the last three years. It didn’t win a game, per se, and it definitely wasn’t in a Game 7 like Kyrie Irving’s shot. Despite that, it was pretty special.
It showed the world that the Warriors were for real. If they didn’t believe it before, they surely believed it after that shot. Cleveland did everything they could and it still didn’t matter. The Warriors just flipped the switch, went on an 11-0 run, and stayed perfect throughout the postseason.
Next: Top 20 Draft Picks of All-Time
It was a defining moment for Durant. It’ll be one of those shots that people talk about for a very long time. The Warriors and Cavs rivalry has, at least, one more year in it. This was a turning point that gave Golden State the edge.
Durant’s three-pointer won Best Playoff Moment, but it’s so much bigger than that.