Kevin Durant is questionable to return for the NBA Finals. He is not returning for game three but may return depending on how the series goes. If he does not return to the Finals, the Warriors will still be okay without him. Let me remind you that the Warriors won a championship before Durant arrived in Golden State. Once he arrived, he helped make the Warriors nearly unbeatable. The Warriors with him are still beatable they are not perfect. The Warriors lost to their NBA Finals opponent with Kevin Durant in the rotation during the regular season. Not once but twice within two weeks.
Warriors Keys to Victory without Kevin Durant
Golden State may be in trouble without Durant. They shouldn’t worry though, because they have won without him. Here is how they can win without Durant. First, they must play as a team, which means being unselfish. Secondly, the players without the ball need to move around the court, which causes the Raptors to switch defensively. This also allows those players without the ball to be open and have a chance to make plays for their team.
Thirdly, they need to crash the boards to earn second-chance field goals. Fourthly, they need to attempt field goals with what the defense is giving them and not just take threes all game. In the past Golden State has won championships by making field goals everywhere, this Finals they need to do the opposite. Yes, I understand this is going to sound ironic. Golden State needs to give the ball to their front-court, not back-court. They have not had depth in their front-court in awhile. Lastly, they need to balance out their field goal selection. Hence, why they will need to play unselfish, attempt smart field goals, and grab rebounds.
Cousins Needs to Step Up with Durant Out
One of their centers that returned to the Finals from an injury in the playoffs is DeMarcus Cousins. In his first game back from injury he did extremely well almost getting a triple-double. Cousins is one of the reasons the Warriors won game two in Toronto. He was their x-factor and I mentioned this in a previous article of mine. Cousins is a physical center who can muscle his way to the basket. Secondly, he can pass the ball to his teammates who can make shots. Thirdly, he can crash the glass or if left at the three-point line he can drain threes as well. Cousins needs to step up and be the go-to person in this series if the Warriors expect to win this series without Kevin Durant.
