In the 2016 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors blew a 3-1 lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers and it shocked the world. Following that defeat in the NBA Finals, the Dubs did something even more shocking than that defeat.
They added the second-best player in the league at the moment, Kevin Durant, to their team. Yes, a team that already featured Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, added KD to the roster.
Obviously, the Warriors went on to dominate for the next two seasons and won back-to-back championships. But after the 2019 NBA Finals, the Warriors dynasty broke up with Durant, signing with the Brooklyn Nets.
At the time, it felt like the Dubs’ days of dominating the league were over. But Steph and co. proved the world wrong in the 2021-22 NBA season. They made a stunning comeback to the playoffs and ended up taking home the championship trophy.
What’s more, is that Steph Curry removed the only blemish on his otherwise spotless resume. He finally added the NBA Finals MVP to his resume. Since then, Steph and the Warriors have been in constant celebration mode.
Now, with a few days passed and the championship parade all done and dusted, head coach Steve Kerr was ready to talk about some very important points. In a recent interview, he revealed the real motivation behind Curry’s amazing season was to prove that he could win an NBA title and the NBA Finals MVP without KD by his side.
Via Sportskeeda:
“I think for Steph he’s heard it over the years that he’s never won Finals MVP and the last two titles were all about KD and the first one Andre got MVP. But as the great players are always looking for what’s next and they’re looking for another challenge and they’re looking for anything to motivate themselves and I think Steph used that as motivation this year for sure.”
What Kerr revealed in the interview is 100% true. For the last couple of years, almost everyone has credited Durant for being the best player on the Warriors.
But Steph was equally good and without him, there would have been no dynasty for Durant to join. Now, with an NBA Finals MVP added to his resume, Steph is ready to sit at the table of all-time great NBA players as per most fans and analysts.
