Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Warriors: Is their historic run just based on luck?

By Calvin Fong

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 6: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 6, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 6: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 6, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Warriors’ Injuries

This past season, the Warriors were without their engine, Steph Curry, for a good chunk of the end of the regular season, all of the 1st round of the playoffs and some of the 2nd round.  It even led many to believe that the once-mighty Warriors were now vulnerable, and now was the time to pounce.

More from Blue Man Hoop

But even with Steph’s Grade 2 MCL sprain, Kevin Durant was able to hold down the scoring, and other key contributors like Draymond and Iguodala were able to facilitate the offense and keep the ball moving.  As a result, they were able to eliminate both the Spurs and Pelicans in five games.

This scenario was the exact reason why Bob Myers went out and snatched KD in the summer of 2016.  The Warriors were fresh off of losing in the Finals, with Steph Curry hobbled and nowhere near 100% throughout the 2016 playoffs.  

As a result, the Dubs needed a miraculous 3-1 comeback against OKC just to get to the Finals, and ran out of steam against the Cavs, with Curry famously not even able to get around Kevin Love at the end of Game 7.

Myers and the Warriors’ front office knew they needed insurance.  Their star player had dealt with ankle issues in the past. They needed to know their team could still compete at a high level without him.

Enter Kevin Durant.

Home/Warriors News