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Kevin Durant’s body gave out, but his spirit pushes the Warriors on

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KD showed the deep will of a battle-tested champion and put everything on the line for his brothers in the name of the Golden Empire. Can the Warriors win it all for Kevin?

By Daniel Hardee
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NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant gave the Golden State Warriors every thing he could offer on the basketball court this season, culminating in his right Achilles’ tendon giving out in the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. What a stunning ending to a bizarre season for the reigning Finals MVP.

This year the scrutinous din surrounding Durant evolved into a thunderous cacophony of ominous speculation and reckless armchair psychology. Is he unhappy? Does he hate Draymond Green? Is he jealous of Steph Curry? Is he secretly already decided on going to New York? Does he fit with the Warriors? Is he immature for responding on social media to haters?

Meanwhile in reality, he was completely destroying anyone in his path during the postseason. He averaged 35/5/5 on the Clippers in round one, punctuating his dominance with a 50 point explosion in Game 6. He followed that up with 33/5/4 on the Rockets in round 2 before his right leg gave out drilling a jumpshot.

The Warriors would knock off Houston and Portland without him, but were stonewalled into a 3-1 deficit by the hungry Toronto Raptors. The Dubs needed KD more than ever; and he obliged by pushing his body over the limit for them.

Now the NBA world can scream at each other back and forth whether or not Durant should have played. All we know for sure is Durant wanted to ball, the Warriors needed him to ball, and both parties rolled the dice due to the dire circumstances.

I appreciate the fact that he did go out there and lay it on all the line for his brothers, for this organization, and for the Bay Area.

I’ve personally always admired Durant’s supreme skill and intensity, but last night? That was a beautifully gritty display of a champion’s soul.

Thank you Mr. Durant, for risking your future to save this season. Here’s a message from the SlimVP to Dub Nation from his Instagram:

Now that the big dog is no longer able to stand for the dynasty, it will be up to what is left of the battered but proud champs to overcome a daunting deficit.

They appeared up to the task in Game 5. Let’s bring it back to Oracle and see what magic is left in that old building.

Poll

Who was your Warrior Wonder in the Game 5 win over Toronto?

This poll is closed

  • 61%
    Kevin Durant
    (650 votes)
  • 5%
    DeMarcus Cousins
    (60 votes)
  • 12%
    Steph Curry
    (129 votes)
  • 13%
    Klay Thompson
    (148 votes)
  • 2%
    Kevon Looney
    (28 votes)
  • 2%
    Draymond Green
    (29 votes)
  • 0%
    Andre Iguodala
    (2 votes)
  • 0%
    Quinn Cook
    (4 votes)
  • 1%
    Jordan Bell
    (12 votes)
1062 votes total Vote Now

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