Golden State Warriors: Breaking down the impact of Kevin Durant injury
Game 5 against the Houston Rockets started off fantastically for the Golden State Warriors. However, despite their win, they are also losers at the same time because of the injury to Kevin Durant sustained in that game.
Rejuvenated. Explosive. Dangerous. Those are just a few words to describe the Golden State Warriors first half performance in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets. A bounce-back game was desperately needed for the Warriors to avoid going down 3-2 in the series.
All was going well for the Warriors until time froze for an instant in the third quarter. A moment that felt like we all were splashed with cold water. That feeling was from witnessing Kevin Durant limp off the court.
Durant did not make any contact with anybody which makes it extremely concerning since non-contact injuries tend to be the most severe. Of course, being the assumption haven that Twitter is, so many believed Durant had torn his Achilles.
Thankfully for Durant, his injury will not be detrimental for his career since he was diagnosed with a calf strain. However, this injury will force him to miss the remainder of the series against Houston.
Obviously, his absence will be felt on both ends of the court. Whenever the Warriors needed a basket Durant was their guy, especially if no one else was producing. He was the safety net and a leader for the team at the same time.
It’s not only his vaunted offensive talent but his defensive ability as well. His length and desire to guard James Harden is a loss from both a talent and leadership perspective. Durant would look to set the tone and wanted the Rockets’ best player. It’s just a compliment to how great of a competitor he is.
However, even with Durant being ruled out, the Warriors are by no means out of it. In fact, they will only drop off ever so slightly. Let’s not pretend that the Warriors weren’t elite before Durant. Twitter will tell you that the Warriors are done for, that there is no hope.
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Well, there are a few players that still have something to say about that. Stephen Curry has always been the motor for the Warriors with Draymond Green as the driver to help facilitate for the entire team. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson is the gas that further pushes the vehicle that is the Golden State Warriors.
This team can very well end it in Game 6. The main issue with Durant being absent is if Curry and Thompson can’t buy a basket, then where do they get their scoring? Others would have to step up until they got out of their funk. I mean, can we really trust Shaun Livingston who has been looking dreadful this series? Andre Iguodala has been a massive contributor, but he’s not going to shoot out the gym.
What about on the defensive side?
The Warriors have had countless lapses throughout the entire playoffs. Durant, once again, impacts the defensive side of the ball. Shooting against him is not easy in part due to his persistence. This will have to be picked up by Thompson who hasn’t had a great defensive series. The same goes for Green who was the driving force behind the Warriors Game 5 victory.
Next. Original core must carry the Golden State Warriors to victory. dark
Durant’s injury impacts the Warriors, but not necessarily dramatically. The Warriors have a shot to shut a lot of their critics up by closing this series out without Durant.
By then, it will be nothing but desperate excuses and hate towards this dynasty.