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3 reasons the Golden State Warriors can win the NBA Finals without Kevin Durant

By Jose Sanchez III

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NBA Finals Kevin Durant (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

The Golden State Warriors have been blowing past teams during this playoff run without Kevin Durant. This streak of wins is an encouraging sign that the Warriors can win the NBA Finals without Durant.

From the moment that Kevin Durant was ruled out of the Houston Rockets series, fans and media alike have given the Golden State Warriors no chance. They’d insinuated that the Warriors were dead on arrival now that Durant would be missing in action.

Well, how did that turn out?

The Warriors haven’t lost a single game since Durant has been sitting with an injury. They closed out the series against the Rockets, then swept the Portland Trail Blazers in embarrassing fashion all without Durant.

On the other end of the spectrum, they lost four games when Durant played during this postseason. Interpret that how you will, but that’s a huge factor when considering how the Warriors will fare against the Toronto Raptors.

Here are three reasons the Warriors can win the finals without Kevin Durant.

NBA Finals
PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 20: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 119-117 during overtime in game four of the NBA Western Conference Finals to advance to the 2019 NBA Finals at Moda Center on May 20, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

1. Stephen Curry

How long are people going to keep treating Stephen Curry as an unaccomplished player? He is arguably the most disrespected star athlete in all of sports.

It’s like some people don’t believe in his talent or think he rode the coattails of another. Quickly how his critics forget that Curry was putting the NBA on notice way before Kevin joined the Warriors.

We are currently witnessing that he is, in fact, a great player whose legend increasingly grows with each game. Curry is a top five player in this league and the NBA Finals is where star power prevails the most.

It doesn’t matter what defenses are throwing at him, he always finds a way to affect the game. There’s no doubt he will shine and dominate like he’s been since Durant exited Game 5 with a supposed calf strain.

It’s not just his scoring that is phenomenal, but he’s an underrated passer. He can get his team involved like Draymond Green does, which is frustrating as a defender because the Warriors have two elite passers.

That is why the ball movement on offense has been immensely potent, which coincidentally is the next reason as to why the Warriors can win the NBA Finals without Durant.

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