Warriors: Room to improve despite Game 1 win.
Ann Killion: Durant-James — new twist to rivalry
When Kevin Durant entered the NBA in 2007, it was already LeBron James’ league. And it has stayed that way. That might be about to change. Durant has spent his entire career being measured against James. Though they have different physiques and skills, they play the same position and are both otherworldly talents. As their careers evolved, it became evident that they were the top two players of their generation. And perhaps, it seemed for a moment back in 2012, they would have a true rivalry.
Yet, that didn’t materialize. For a long time
it appeared Durant might be like Karl Malone to Michael Jordan. Never really turning the rivalry into a serious contest.
James has neutralized Durant in their face-to-face matchups. The balance has been lopsided. Durant has never been able to make a counterargument to the statistics, the rings, the enormity of James’ legacy. Until, perhaps, now. James had a succinct answer for what stood out to him about the Warriors, after they blasted his Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. “K.D.” he said. In Game 1, Durant scored on James. He defended James. He went toe-to-toe and won. His team dominated James’ team in a way that has rarely happened.
Heading into this series, Durant was 5-18 against James in head-to-head matchups. Of course, that’s a ridiculous statistic in a team sport, but that’s the way it has been.
Now the record is 6-18. And though it’s unlikely that Durant will get a FasTrak lane to the bucket every time he has the ball for the rest of this series, by the end of the Finals, the gap may narrow substantially.
“It’s not about me,” Durant said after Game 1. “He’s going to do what he does. He’s LeBron James. So I just tried to play as hard as I can and not make it about a matchup. It’s about us. About the Golden State Warriors versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, and we’re only going to do it together. That’s our whole mind-set.”
James and Durant are very different personalities with different mind-sets. That was on display Saturday, a practice day at the Warriors’ facility in Oakland. Durant waited to the side of the large news conference area, allowing Stephen Curry to finish before taking his spot behind the microphone. James frustrated league officials by walking in, commandeering a side podium meant for one of the less-indemand players, causing a mad crush of cameras and reporters in an inadequate space and starting his comments before Durant was finished.
Both are amazing talents. But Durant doesn’t seem to have the need to be the alpha male that James does in every situation. That enrages some fans, who only respect aggressive dominance.
But even though Durant has a different personality, he plays with an edge. And he is keenly aware that he is being measured against James.
Back in 2012, when the two met in the NBA Finals, it seemed to be the beginning of a two-star rivalry that could enthrall fans and energize the league. But James and the Miami Heat made quick work of the Thunder, winning in five games. Durant got emotional after the loss and promised he’d be back.
He is, in a different uniform. And it took five years to get back to another Finals showdown with James, who appeared in every Finals in that time.
“Experience is always a great teacher, and always elevates you,” Durant said Saturday. “We both have been through a lot since then. Our games have grown. The game has changed. …
“It feels like it’s such a long time ago.”
James, 32, and Durant, 28, are friends. James entered the league four years before Durant and kept an eye on him early, reached out to him as a friend. In previous off-seasons they have worked out together. They won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. They have the Nike bond.
“Our relationship is very good,” James said. “If someone needed something, we can always reach out to one another. We have always had mutual respect.”
Now that respect has ratcheted up a level because of Durant’s new situation, joining the team that has evolved into James’ primary foe.
“You take one of the best teams that we had ever assembled last season, and then you add a high-powered offensive talent like that and a great basketball IQ like that, and that’s what stands out,” James said.
“We’ve got to figure out how to combat that, which is going to be a tough challenge for us.”
The Cavaliers will make adjustments. The series is in its infancy. But by its end, the NBA could be a little less the domain of James and a little more that of Durant.