Durant is LJ’s puzzle not easy to solve
OK, will we all be KD watchers come Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Monday (Philippine time)?
Meaning, we will follow KD every step of the way, and see if he could repeat his Game 1 brilliance as Golden State attempts to make it 2-0 against Cleveland in the best-ofseven series?
KD, aka Kevin Durant, had practically outdone himself on Friday, providing the biggest spark in an astonishing 113-91 Warrior rout of the Cavaliers.
In scoring 38 game-high points, Durant eclipsed his 28-point per game average when the Warriors dealt the San Antonio Spurs a 4-0 blanking for the Western Conference crown.
Pretty amazing as Durant had missed 20 regular season games and two more games in the first round of the Western playoffs.
Aside from his Friday’s 38 points (Warrior top gun Stephen Curry had 28 points to go with 10 assists), Durant had 8-8, rebounds-assists and then, look at this: Not a single turnover.
Even LeBron James aka LJ, who was tasked to guard Durant—to no avail, was all praise for KD.
“You take one of the best teams that we ever assembled last year, that we saw in the regular season, and in the post-season, and then in the offseason you add a high-powered offensive talent like that [KD] and a great basketball IQ like that, that’s what stands out,” said James. “I mean, it’s no if, ands, or buts. It is what it is. We’ve got to figure out how to combat that, which is going to be a tough challenge for us.”
Will he take on the challenge? Again? LJ must take twice. I’m sure he knows his history: LJ and the Miami Heat defeated KD and the Oklahoma Thunder in five games for the NBA title in 2012.
It’s but logical then to think that KD is on a mission: Deflect LJ’s defense this time and avenge that personal loss, humiliation, of five years ago.
Combine that with Golden State’s redemption spin following their 4-3 setback to Cleveland after blowing a 3-1 bulge last year and, hey, that’s as lethal as a WMD (weapon of mass destruction) can be.
A 2-0 Warrior lead going to Cleveland for Games 3 & 4 could prove to be a massive lead for a team long considered a heavy favorite to reclaim its 2015 crown.
Suddenly, LJ, Cleveland’s heart and soul, sees himself under the gun. This early.
Combine that with Golden State’s redemption spin following their 4-3 setback to Cleveland after blowing a 3-1 bulge last year and, hey, that’s as lethal as a WMD (weapon of mass destruction) can be.