News that Kevin Durant is done for the remainder of the Western Conference Semifinals has to sting for the Boston Celtics and any other team that felt they had a chance at winning the NBA Finals if not for the Warriors. Because Golden State should not win this series. Not anymore.
The Warriors still have guys who know how to win, as Steve Kerr pointed out to ESPN. That’s true, but those same guys showed they were vulnerable before acquiring Kevin Durant, losing to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It’s the playoffs, it’s the ultimate test. We’re in a great spot, we’re up 3-2. We have championship rings,” Kerr said. “This group will never be doubted. This group has nothing to prove. There’s a freedom in that.”
Their experience makes a difference, it’s not like we’re talking about a team of rookies. But that can only go so far when you’re playing a Rockets team that’s playing the Warriors tightly and won twice.
This primarily makes a huge difference on the defensive end, of course. P.J. Tucker has made life tough for Durant throughout the series. The 6-foot-6 wing probably won’t go toe-to-toe with Steph Curry with Durant sidelined, but now he can take on a Klay Thompson or Draymond Green and stifle them defensively, making life significantly harder for the Warriors as a whole. Tucker could also guard a lesser defender and help on the switch or if someone gets beat on the drive.
But no Durant helps the Rockets on the offensive end, as well. His combination of speed and length made him a tough matchup for pretty much anyone he guarded, including James Harden, at times. Whether it was one-on-one or off a screen, he made it hard for the Rockets to create space. It’s part of the reason he’s become the Warriors’ top dog and is considered by some as the league’s best player.
The Warriors won’t turn into the 2018-19 LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers without Durant, but they’re not going to have much room for error when they go up against the Rockets in Game 6.
