3 reasons the Golden State Warriors can win the Finals w/o KD and Cousins

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he leaves the game late in the fourth quarter in a 129-110 win over the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he leaves the game late in the fourth quarter in a 129-110 win over the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The more-involved Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson

Stephen Curry doesn’t have to be two-time MVP Stephen Curry with Kevin Durant on the court. He doesn’t have to score 35+ for the Warriors to win when another former MVP and four-time scoring champion is by his side.

Without that production, Curry’s had to rewind his production to that of his 2015-2016 self.

Scoring over 36 points per game in the Western Conference Finals, Curry has done exactly that. The best shooter to ever grace the hardwood has also averaged over six triples per game. More importantly, Curry’s shot over 42% from deep.

Curry has hoisted up 14 or more threes in each of the three Conference Finals games. In the team’s first 12 postseason games, only one of which was without Durant, he shot that many just once.

The Warriors are at their best with Curry launching from deep, and he’s got the shots up without Durant on the court.

As for Klay Thompson, he’s arguably been the biggest beneficiary of the absence of Durant.

Without KD, Thompson’s production will obviously skyrocket as he’ll see an increased number of shots. But, if Kevin Durant were playing, it’d be unlikely that Klay would’ve sent the Rockets packing in Game 6, draining seven triples.

Thompson comes up huge when the Warriors need him most, and on this Durant-less run, he’s answered the call.