If you didn’t think the Golden State Warriors were a powerhouse in the NBA yet, the 4th of July provided more fireworks than you anticipated.
The historic 73 win Warriors reeled in the biggest fish in their franchise history on Monday when Kevin Durant said he’s ready for the next chapter of his career.
Both Golden State and the Oklahoma City Thunder blew 3-1 leads in the playoffs to set-up disappointing finishes to their season; the consequences of the finishes just shook up the basketball world.
Dismantling another league powerhouse in the making, Durant made the Warriors the talk of the league again. The Warriors became the first team in league history to lose a Finals after leading 3-1, but just three weeks later and the mood isn’t as somber in the Bay Area. The pain is still there for fans, but the consolation prize of the third best player in the league makes the loss a little easier to accept.
The Warriors will also lose Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut in the process, two players that have been disappointing in back to back postseasons. Either dealing with injuries or struggles on the court, neither player has been able to step up when Golden State needed them most.
With aging veterans still chasing rings, reports have already surfaced that the Warriors will be a team of target by those players. The depth doesn’t become a concern for the Warriors because it wasn’t there in the postseason anyway.
Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are the two best bench players on the roster and will remain on it. Leandro Barbosa is most likely also coming back. Anderson Varejao, Mo Speights, and Brandon Rush didn’t provide the Warriors with much this past season and are all very replaceable.
The Warriors now have two of the hardest players in the league to defend in Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. They have one of the best shooters of all-time in Klay Thompson. They also have one of the best all-around players in the league in Draymond Green. They present a matchup nightmare for anyone and everyone.
They don’t lose much defensively, either. Durant’s length causes issues, the Warriors saw it first-hand. Pretty much a 7-footer, Durant possesses a wingspan that many teams can’t get past. During the postseason, opponents shot 38.3 percent against Durant when they normally shot 46 percent, per NBA.com’s defense tracker. He can also serve as a rim protector at times, holding his opposition to under 50 percent shooting from within six feet from the basket.
The Warriors will likely add a big man for cheap, to play stints at center when Green needs a breather. But the Death Lineup has become even deadlier, with the Slim Reaper joining the squad. Dewayne Dedmon, David West, Zaza Pachulia and others are available. With the way Bogut performed in the playoffs, he’s easily replaceable.
Just take it in: the 2014, 2015, and 2016 NBA Most Valuable Players play in the Bay Area.
The Warriors were five points away from going back to back and winning another championship. Replace Harrison Barnes with Kevin Durant and you’re looking at a team that’s become even scarier. Not to mention they’re hungry after the Finals collapse.
Dwight Howard nearly joined the Warriors in 2013 and that’s when the team slowly became a destination for free agents. As a blessing in disguise, Howard chose the Houston Rockets and Golden State signed Andre Iguodala. Now, Iguodala is one of the main catalysts from bringing KD to the Bay. Draymond Green has been in constant contact with Durant and Jerry West closed the deal.
The Warriors shouldn’t have any issues sharing the ball either. Durant goes from playing with Russell Westbrook to the passive Curry, Green, and Iguodala. Thompson will sacrifice shots, too for the seven-time All-Star.
You don’t have to wait too long to see some of the players on the court together. Team USA will play at Oracle Arena on July 26. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson will all see time on the court together. All that’ll be missing from their big four is Curry, who will be resting and recovering from a sprained MCL.
October can’t come soon enough for Warriors fans, but given the most substantial signing in their franchise history…it’ll be well worth it.