With the Warriors facing a 3-1 deficit as the NBA Finals shift back to Toronto, many media members are theorizing that Golden State’s only hope is a return by Kevin Durant. Although Durant joined his team for the trip to Canada, his status remains uncertain. The MVP of the last two Finals hasn’t played or participated in a full practice since suffering a calf strain a month ago in the Western Conference semifinals.
There’s no question that a healthy Durant would make a difference. He was magnificent as usual before the injury, posting a 26.0/6.4/5.9 line in 78 regular season games and leading all playoff scorers at 34.2 points per game. Golden State hasn’t lost a postseason series since he joined the team three years ago.
Still, it may be an overstatement to say the Warriors would be in control of the series if he were available. The Raptors might be the best team they have faced over the past three seasons and have already dispatched a talented Sixers team and this year’s probable MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kawhi Leonard has reminded everyone that he’s one of the league’s best players, and he’s surrounded by a talented supporting cast that is proficient on both ends of the floor.
Even if Durant returns for Game 5, there are questions about how effective he can be. The Warriors haven’t issued any progress reports on his condition, other than vague statements expressing hope that he’ll be back before the playoffs end. Timing would be a concern for someone who hasn’t been on the court for a month and is trying to return to the game at its highest level.
We want to get your opinion on whether Durant’s return can save the series for the Warriors. Would his natural talent be enough or would he just provide a distraction and an easy target for the Raptors to exploit on defense? Please leave your answers in the space below.
Even when KD comes back, his offensive impact will disrupt rhythm and shot distribution. Unless he’s 100% in form on top of his game immediately upon return – something unrealistic – the series is likely over.
The Warriors have no rhythm. It’s just Steph and Klay running around hoping to get an open look. Durant at least gives them another option and a shot.
He interrupts them because he is better than anyone else on the team.
A healthy Durant would give them a decent shot but even without him I can’t count this team out until it’s actually over
The Warriors are done. Raptors put a beating on them, and all the self-anointed experts who usually post all the time in these threads, but have suddenly scattered like rats on a sinking ship LMAO!!!
I’m still here. It’s not over. Speak for yourself when you scatter next week.
Truth be told, the Raptors are very good and Kawhi Leonard is out of this world incredible. May the best team win and if it’s the Raptors it would be great for the NBA, for Canada, and for the Raptors.
But I don’t count the Warriors out yet. They’ve been here before and this is the Raptors first time. Let’s see how it plays out… but I haven’t gone anywhere. Win or lose I’m right here.
If the self-annointed experts who picked GS to win end up being wrong, they can’t be experts anymore because, Lord knows, you gotta be 100% to be an expert – like the guys on tv that get paid millions (to guess wrong). Of course, on this thread, opinions are held to higher regard and expectation. Evidently, because this site is where the REAL experts are!
ColossusOfClout… you know what they say about using a name to compensate for what one hasn’t got, right?
And they usually drive extra large trucks!
He’s not playing, you can take that to the bank
And when you get to the bank they are probably going to ask you are there. Because banks don’t hold promises, they hold money.
Warriors are not better without KD. Without KD the Warriors are not a championship team. This has been proven and no matter how much evidence some swear they are better off without KD.
The margin between them is not great; a Durant return would turn things the other way. But I doubt he returns.
And he would return because? To win another ring? If he cared about rings the Knicks would be one of the last teams he would consider and that’s not the case. Why play and risk further injury in a series that’s basically over?
Look at Boogie. Case in point for why not to come back. How much money has Boogie lost? A max contracts worth so far.
Durant isn’t going to lose one dime of a max contract no matter what
Funny how things change. Last series against Portland, everyone was saying that the Warriors were a better team without Durant.
After game three in this series, everyone said that if Klay comes back fully healthy for game four, the balance of power shifts back the Warriors way.
Can no one just admit that the Raptors may be the team that was meant to end the Warriors run? Keep in mind that Leonard’s not completely healthy, Lowry’s guide hand thumb is bad, and OG has not been available at all during the playoffs. I would not have expected OG to have given the Raps a bunch of offense, but he’s another top notch rangy multi position defender.
I am not saying that with everyone healthy on both sides that the Raptors were a guaranteed winner, but I would not be shocked if they had won the series anyway.
Yeah but would you have put money on it?
Even a 50% Durant will add more floor spacing if he can get on the court you do it.. Not because you risk further injury.. But because your team is down 3-1 and you want to at least show your team mates you will fight even in a loss.. If he can’t go he can’t go but if your 50% at least give it a try. No one expected Kobe to go out with 60 anything’s possible.
Yeah but unlike the Jazz with Kobe in a meaningless game, the Raptors aren’t going to sit around and watch Durant
Durant can help save the series for sure.
It’s a domino effect. Currently, I’d give the Warriors like a 10-20% chance. Obviously the Warriors must win the next game in Toronto and Durant’s return would help tremendously. If that happens I like the chances of the Warriors in G6. Then, if you get to G7 anything can happen.
Only thing that saves the Warriors now is a Toronto plane crash.