The Golden State Warriors is the 2017 NBA champion having defeating Lebron James’ Cavaliers 129-120 in Game 5 on Monday night.
Kevin Durant capped his spectacular first season with the Warriors by bringing home that coveted NBA championship and the MVP trophy. “You can talk about whatever you want to talk about, but nobody comes in and cares about the game or loves the game as much as I do or works as hard as do I at the basketball game. You can talk about whatever happens on the outside, but inside those lines, I come to bring it every day,” Durant said. “I work hard, I believe in myself, I believe in the game, I respect the game, I love the game, and I knew at some point in my life that it will come around for me.”
Stephen Curry added 34 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as Golden State closed out its second title in three years after squandering a 3-1 lead a year ago. That stung ever since, and even Durant understood, because he gave up the same lead to the Warriors a round earlier with Oklahoma City.
James, who in 2012 with Miami beat the Thunder in Durant’s only other Finals, wound up with 41 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. “I left everything on the floor every game,” James said after averaging a triple-double in his eighth Finals. Kyrie Irving followed up his 40-point gem in Game 4 with 26 points but shot 9 for 22.
This time, King James gave way to KD, who was the NBA Finals MVP 10 years after being picked second in the NBA draft behind Greg Oden. The Warriors missed becoming the first undefeated champion, but 16-1 still gave Golden State the best winning percentage of any title team at .941.
After the buzzer sounded, Durant did a little shake with Curry on the court before they slapped hands several times. Two playful superstars who found a way to coexist through all the questions and constant scrutiny, together and smiling as champions.
“I’m happy for him,” Curry said. “You’ve got to call Kevin Durant a champ now.”
