Kevin Durant just led the Warriors to the 2017 NBA title, capping off his incredible series with a 39-point effort in Game 5.
Yes, Kevin Durant shot better than Harrison Barnes in the NBA Finals
Barnes shot 5 of 38 from the field in the final three games of last year’s NBA Finals. Durant ... did not do that.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to Game 1, Durant was asked if he’d do a better job converting open shots than Harrison Barnes during the Golden State Warriors’ trip to the NBA Finals last season. His answer, according to the San Jose Mercury-News: “You think so?”
Someone actually asked that.
And then that person went out and watched Durant dominate the Cavaliers for five games. He averaged 35 points a game in the series and hit all the biggest shots.
In Game 1, he got dunk after dunk, stopped everyone on the other end, and did so much more. Harrison Barnes cannot do all this.
Apparently, this reporter forgot. This is Kevin Durant: A one-time MVP, four-time NBA scoring champion, the former Rookie of the Year, a three-time gold medalist, and perennial 50-40-90 club member. And that’s Harrison Barnes, who’s no scrub, but no stud, at least not yet. Barnes shot just 5 of 38 from the field combined between Games 5, 6, and 7.
There’s a reason Golden State moved heaven on earth to land the biggest fish in the pond. For moments exactly like these: When the pressure is on, Durant is at his best.
So no, Durant wasn’t in a corner hibernating while LeBron freelances defensively. Instead, he posed Cleveland issues from top to bottom as he showcases his versatility both on and off the ball. He was a monumental improvement from Barnes last season.
And for that reason, the Cavs ended up scared.
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