The Warriors fell into a 3-1 hole in the NBA Finals with a lo s at Oracle Arena onFriday night, but the play on the court is taking a backseat to the treatment in the training room.For the entirety of the 2018-19 season, the chatter around Golden State kept coming back to the po sibility ofKevin Durants final run in a Warriors uniform. From the early-season to Durants , thishas mostly felt like a swan song,the last run by one of the greatest teams ever a sembled.MORE: And then the injuryhappened. At the time,
New York Giants Jersey Durants calf strain, which camein the third quarter of Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, looked to be a death sentence for the Warriors. Their lack of depth made them ultra-reliable on Durants scoring in the playoffs. But Stephen Curry came alive, James Harden and the Rockets chokedand the Trail Blazersdidnt have enough to win even one game in the Western Conference finals.We now sit and wait as Durant feverishly attempts to rehab his strained calf and rejoin his teammates in their run at a three-peat. His ability (or inability) to playagainst the Raptorswill have a huge impact on determining the result of the 2019 NBA Finals. It may also play into his future
James Bradberry Jersey with free agency on the horizon.How could the outcome of the Finals alterDurant's decision-making proce s this summer?Kevin Durant mi ses the NBA Finals;Warriors win without himDont let anyone, including Durant himself, fool you into believing that this isnt the worst-case scenario for Durant. It would be very damaging for his legacy.Durants jump to Golden State was widely viewed as the former Thunder star taking the easy way out. He couldn't beat the Warriors with his roster in Oklahoma City, so he joined them. Whiletwo championships and two FinalsMVPs for Durantvalidated his decision, there are still those who want to put an asterisk next to his rings.He may do and say all the right things, but Golden State going on to three-peat without Durant would sting.It appears that hes aware of howa Warriors championship with him in street clothes would change how he's viewed historically against some of the league's greatest players.I see a little exaggeration there buddy, my worst nightmare?? U sure that this is the worst that it can get??? Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) Was his addition nece sary in order for Golden State to win the past two titles? Or was it simply a luxury? Thequestions about the validity of Durants rings will only grow louder in this scenario.Durant mayhave no choice but to bolt for another challenge. Its a situation that would be eerily similar to the path LeBron James took win two rings in Miami by teaming up with two superstars, then leave to attempt to win one
Eli Manning Jersey as the signature player for a franchise desperate for any kind of succe s. A Warriors ring means a Durant exit with New York as a likely landing spot.Verdict: Durant leaves the Warriors.Kevin Durant mi ses the NBA Finals; Warriors lose without himor...Kevin Durant returns mid-series;Warriors win with himAre the Warriors more enjoyable to watch without Durant? Yes, but in no way does having the most lethal offensive force in the game sitting on the bench make the Warriors better.Before the Warriors' Game 1 lo s to the Raptors, Golden State was 30-1 when Durant satand Curry played, but thatlo s illustratedjust how badly the Warriors requireDurant's talents. The length of Toronto certainly affected the flow of theoffense. The Warriors desperately needed the security that Durant brings to the floor. When the offense breaks down, just get the ball to Durant. Hes usually is able to bail them out.If they lose without him or he is able to return and lead the Warriors to their third consecutive championship, it will prove once and for all that the Warriors needed him in order to go on their championship run. His doubters will be silenced, at least for
Adoree' Jackson Jersey a little while.Durant and the Warriors wouldalso have a chance to do something that hasnt been done since Bill Ru sells Celtics win a fourth consecutive title. But will the validation that a third ring would bring and the opportunity for a fourth be enough to make Durants return to Golden State more likely? Not exactly.Durant has checked every box while in the Bay Area. There is nothing left that he hasn't already accomplished. Another championship with the Warriors might not be worth as much to him as turning around a struggling team and the fanfare that would come with it.Plus, Durant saw the way his teammates played against Portland. He witne sed the renewed sense of joy that they brought to the court. The patented ball movement that made the Warriors of old so fun to watch was back in a big way.Verdict: Durant leaves the Warriors, but he seriously considers chasing history if they win the title.Kevin Durant returns mid-series; Warriors lose with himAll great teams eventually get beat or break up. Michael Jordans Bulls disappeared with his retirement. Kobe and Shaqs Lakers ran intothe Pistons before an ugly divorce. We could be watching something very similar unfold.If Durants return still isnt enough
Will Hernandez Jersey for the Warriors to get past the Raptors, a logical endpoint would emerge forthe Warriors-Durant relationship.The Warriors won a titlewithout Durantback in 2015, and with their core still in place,losing Durant doesnt seem to be a major concern. Durant could walk off the floor at the end of the Finals proud of what he has done with Golden State but ready for a new challenge.A lo s to the Raptors ends the dynasty. The summer will bringquestionsabout where the Warriors go from here. Durant leaving for New York or Los Angeleswill be accepted. Klay Thompson will be a free agent.But at least well get to see this group make one more run.Verdict: Durant leaves the Warriors.
The Wall