Theres still six more games scheduled, but in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals Golden State picked up where it left off before Draymond Green got suspended in last years NBA finals with the Warriors holding a commanding 3-1 lead. Up to that point, Green had been a major force in limiting the effectiveness of Clevelands Big Three with a lethal combination of aggressive defense, trash -talking and timely offense.
The only difference this time around is that Golden State is better. They added Kevin Durant, who did exactly what he left OKC and came to Golden State to do.
He was the unstoppable force, scoring 38 points, dishing eight assists, pulling down eight rebounds and setting the tone early with an array of jumpers and emphatic dunks as Golden State pounded Cleveland 113-91. Durants funk flow was complemented by Steph Curry, who added 28 points of his own.
Kevin Durant Takes It Coast To Coast | Warriors vs Cavaliers NBA Finals 2017 Game 1 | June 1, 2017
Uploaded by NBALife on 2017-06-02.
This is Durant’s moment of truth and he’s going all in. He confirmed that in his postgame interview, when a reporter reminded Durant of how he cried following his 2012 Finals loss to LeBron James’ Miami Heat. “I don’t want to be one of those guys from the outside looking in, that wishes he played harder.”
Durant learned how to master the NBA chess board by following LeBron’s blueprint. On this Golden State team, he can get 40 every game without breaking a sweat. After years of taking a backseat to the likes of Kobe Bryant, James and Tim Duncan (as far as championship- elite performers go), Durant is getting the opportunity to showcase his superior talent on the largest stage in the world.
He’s held his own against LeBron in the past.
LeBron James VS Kevin Durant Epic Christmas Day Duel | 12.25.16
Here is LeBron James and Kevin Durant squaring off on Christmas day in Cleveland. About the NBA: The NBA is the premier professional basketball league in the United States and Canada.
He already has the accolades and the billing as an all-time great scorer. He needs the affirmation as a leader and champion. Make no mistake. This is a battle between KD’s NBA championship destiny and King James’ coronation.
