The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty is one of the most celebrated in NBA history, but Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas believes the story could have played out very differently.
Thomas has no problem telling Draymond Green straight to his face that Kevin Durant’s arrival was the difference between a dynasty and a collapse.
“Let me make a bold statement here, and I hope this don’t upset you,” Thomas said appearing on The Draymond Green Show. “Before Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, y’all were on the verge of being remembered as the team that went 73-9 and lost to a Cleveland Cavaliers team in the Finals up 3-1 and probably one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history – from a 73-9 historical team.
Isiah Thomas believes Kevin Durant saved Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green basketball legacies
“Before KD arrived in Golden State y’all were on the verge of being remembered for one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history.”
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“Kevin Durant comes that summer and really saves y’all basketball legacies, and you win two championships after that,” Thomas continued. “And now the Golden State Warriors dynasty that you’re going to go in the Hall of Fame on and everything else is cemented because if Durant doesn’t come that summer and you guys are remembered as the 73-9 team that lost [up] 3-1 in the NBA Finals, all of your legacies are different.”
Durant’s three seasons in the Bay resulted in back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, establishing Steve Kerr’s squad as one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
His departure in 2019 shifted the balance of power, but the Warriors’ core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green added a fourth ring in 2022 as huge underdogs that season.
Golden State has continued its push for another championship. The front office brought in Jimmy Butler at last season’s trade deadline, and veteran Al Horford is expected to join on a deal worth more than the minimum.
Since his departure from The Bay, KD hasn’t been able to secure another championship.
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