Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors Why People Thought He Was The Best

Hey guys! Let's dive into a super interesting topic – why so many people believed Kevin Durant was the best player during his time with the Golden State Warriors (GSW). It's a conversation filled with stats, opinions, and a whole lot of basketball brilliance. Buckle up; we're about to break it all down!

The Arrival of KD: A Seismic Shift in the NBA Landscape

When Kevin Durant made the move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016, it sent shockwaves throughout the NBA. I mean, imagine one of the league's top players joining a team that had just come off a historic 73-9 regular season and a narrow defeat in the NBA Finals. It was like adding an unstoppable force to an already formidable machine. Suddenly, the Warriors went from being a championship contender to arguably the greatest offensive team ever assembled. Durant's arrival instantly elevated their scoring prowess and defensive capabilities, creating a buzz that had everyone wondering just how dominant this team could become. Before KD joined, the Warriors were already a top-tier team, but adding a player of his caliber made them almost unfair. Durant brought a unique blend of size, scoring ability, and versatility that few players in the league could match. He could score from anywhere on the court, defend multiple positions, and create opportunities for his teammates. This made the Warriors an incredibly difficult team to defend, as opponents had to account for not just Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but also Durant's incredible offensive arsenal. The anticipation surrounding the Durant-Warriors pairing was palpable, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how this super team would perform on the court. And as we all witnessed, the results were nothing short of spectacular, setting the stage for a dynasty that would redefine the modern NBA.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Durant's Statistical Dominance

One of the biggest reasons people crowned Kevin Durant as the best player on the Warriors boils down to cold, hard stats. The guy was a scoring machine. We're talking about consistently putting up impressive numbers, often leading the team in points, and doing it with incredible efficiency. Durant's scoring average during his Warriors tenure was phenomenal, and his shooting percentages were off the charts. But it wasn't just about scoring; he also contributed significantly in other areas, like rebounding and assists. He wasn't just a scorer; he was a complete offensive player. When you look at the advanced stats, things get even more compelling. Durant's Player Efficiency Rating (PER), True Shooting Percentage, and other metrics consistently placed him among the NBA's elite. These numbers tell a story of a player who wasn't just scoring a lot of points, but doing it in a way that maximized his team's chances of winning. His ability to score efficiently from anywhere on the court, combined with his underrated playmaking and defensive contributions, made him an invaluable asset to the Warriors. In many ways, Durant's statistical dominance was the bedrock of his argument for being the best player on the team. The numbers provided tangible evidence of his impact, and they were hard to argue with. They showcased his incredible skill set and his ability to elevate his team's performance on both ends of the floor. When you consider the combination of raw scoring numbers and advanced metrics, it's easy to see why so many people pointed to Durant's statistics as a key reason for his perceived dominance on the Warriors.

The Eye Test: Durant's Unmatched Offensive Prowess

Beyond the stats, there's the eye test. You know, watching a player and just knowing they're special. And Kevin Durant? He passed that test with flying colors. His combination of size, agility, and shooting touch is something we rarely see. He could rise over virtually any defender and drain a jumper, drive to the basket with incredible grace, and post up smaller opponents with ease. It was like watching a cheat code in action. What made Durant so mesmerizing to watch was his ability to score in so many different ways. He wasn't just a one-dimensional scorer; he had a complete offensive arsenal. Whether it was a pull-up three-pointer, a contested fadeaway, or a powerful dunk, Durant could do it all. And he did it all with an effortless grace that made it seem like he was barely trying. This offensive versatility made him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. There was simply no easy way to guard him. You couldn't give him space, or he'd knock down a jumper. You couldn't get too close, or he'd blow by you for a layup. And if you tried to double-team him, he'd find the open man with a crisp pass. Durant's offensive brilliance wasn't just about scoring; it was about the way he scored. It was about the artistry and the fluidity of his movements. It was about the sheer impossibility of stopping him when he was in the zone. For many fans, the eye test was the ultimate decider in the debate over who was the best player on the Warriors. And when they watched Durant operate on the court, they couldn't help but be amazed by his offensive prowess. His ability to take over games and score at will made him a truly captivating player to watch, and it solidified his place as one of the most dominant offensive forces in NBA history.

Finals MVP Awards: The Ultimate Validation

Let's talk about the hardware. Kevin Durant won back-to-back Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018. These awards are a massive deal because they signify the player who performed the best on the biggest stage. Winning them twice in a row? That's legendary stuff. These MVP trophies weren't just handed out; they were earned through incredible performances against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Durant consistently stepped up in crucial moments, delivering clutch shots and making game-changing plays. The Finals MVP awards served as a powerful validation of Durant's impact on the Warriors. They were a tangible recognition of his ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest. In both series against the Cavaliers, Durant was the Warriors' go-to scorer and primary offensive weapon. He consistently torched the Cavaliers' defense with his silky-smooth jump shot and his ability to drive to the basket. But it wasn't just his scoring that earned him the MVP awards; it was also his defensive contributions. Durant's length and athleticism allowed him to guard multiple positions and disrupt the Cavaliers' offensive flow. He was a force on both ends of the court, and his impact was undeniable. For many fans, the Finals MVP awards were the ultimate trump card in the debate over who was the best player on the Warriors. They were a clear and unequivocal statement that Durant was the most valuable player on the team during their championship runs. The awards not only cemented Durant's legacy as one of the greatest players of all time, but they also provided concrete evidence to support the argument that he was the best player on the Warriors during their dynasty years.

The Curry Factor: A Complicated Dynamic

Now, let's address the elephant in the room: Stephen Curry. He was already a two-time MVP before Durant arrived, and he's arguably the greatest shooter the game has ever seen. So, why Durant over Curry? This is where it gets tricky, guys. Curry's impact on the game goes beyond just scoring. His gravity, the way defenses are forced to guard him, creates opportunities for his teammates. But Durant's size and ability to score in isolation gave the Warriors a different dimension. It allowed them to have a reliable scoring option even when Curry was being double-teamed or having an off night. The dynamic between Curry and Durant was a fascinating one. They were both incredible players, but they had different strengths and weaknesses. Curry's off-ball movement and shooting range were unparalleled, but Durant's size and ability to score over anyone made him a unique weapon. The two players complemented each other beautifully, and they formed one of the most potent offensive duos in NBA history. However, the debate over who was the better player often came down to a matter of preference. Some people valued Curry's overall impact on the game and his ability to create opportunities for others. Others were more impressed by Durant's sheer scoring ability and his dominance in isolation situations. There's no single right answer to the question of who was better between Curry and Durant. It's a subjective debate that's likely to continue for years to come. But what's undeniable is that both players were essential to the Warriors' success, and they both played a significant role in the team's championship runs. The