It’s another day where we find ourselves revisiting the Kevin Durant era with the Golden State Warriors. This time, Durant had something to say in response to Keyshawn Johnson’s comments on Undisputed. Johnson suggested that Paul Pierce could have achieved similar success if he had been a part of the Warriors team that Durant was on.
Durant took to Twitter to express his thoughts, pointing out that hypothetical scenarios don’t change the reality of the situation. He compared the situation to the New York Jets’ decision to pick Johnson over multiple future Hall of Famers in the 1996 NFL draft. The implication being that decisions made in the past cannot be altered with hypotheticals.
When it comes down to it, the argument that Pierce could have replaced Durant on the Warriors doesn’t hold much weight. Durant’s scoring prowess, efficiency, and defensive skills set him apart from Pierce. His ability to shoot and score at a high level, along with his size and defensive contributions, made him a crucial part of the Warriors’ success.
Looking back at the 2019 playoffs, it becomes even more apparent how important Durant was to the Warriors. The team faced tough challenges in the early rounds, and it was Durant who helped them push through. His absence in the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors highlighted just how much the team relied on him.
As time passed, the Warriors went from being a dominant force to a team with noticeable weaknesses. Durant’s presence acted as a buffer, covering up some of those flaws and keeping the team competitive. To overlook his impact on the team’s success would be a disservice to his legacy in the NBA.
In the end, the debate about what could have been will always linger, but the reality is that Durant’s contributions to the Warriors were significant. His unique skill set and overall impact on the team cannot be understated, and it’s clear that he played a crucial role in their success during his time with the franchise.