5 reasons Warriors win 2017 NBA title with Kevin Durant
By Tom West
3. Durant takes pressure off Curry
The Warriors thrive with fluidity, team play, ball movement, and led the league with 28.9 assists per game last season because of it.
With everyone across the roster and Draymond Green emerging as an elite point-forward with 7.4 assists a night (7th in the NBA), we’ll have to wait and see exactly how Kevin Durant fits in as a shot creator during isolation plays to begin with. Even though he won’t be required to iso as often as he did in Oklahoma City, it’s obviously an element of his game that’s simply too good to ignore.
And this is where Durant can help take pressure off Stephen Curry in the kind of situations that require a scorer to create by himself. Until now, even though Thompson can be utilized or the Warriors make the most of their passing to find a score instead, Curry is the only undisputed option they have when it comes creating off the dribble. As a two-time MVP, he’s their go-to guy.
Partnered with Durant, not needing to be that guy as often only helps preserve Curry throughout a grueling regular season. Whether it’s an opponent’s run that needs to be stopped, a matchup that can be abused, or a critical late-game scenario, Durant can step in when need be.
On top of that, defenses can’t try and trap Curry so intently when there’s Durant to worry about now.
With the two together, the Warriors can rejoice that they have the two best scorers in the game, who can both score inside or out in their own respective styles.
Who will look like the Warriors’ new number one option? Will Curry and Durant click so much that they look like co top options? Only time will tell. Curry, a willing passer when need be, shouldn’t mind having Durant by his side to make things easier, though.
Next: 2. How can the Cavs' defense cope?