The NBA 2015-16 season is considered to be one of the best seasons ever by fans and analysts all around the world. The fans witnessed one of the best All-Star weekends, mainly due to the historic Slam Dunk contest and the Cleveland Cavaliers winning their first title after beating the best regular season team of all time, the Golden State Warriors.
After setting a record of 73 wins in a season, the Warriors lost the finals after taking a 3-1 lead and faced criticism worldwide. But in the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant joined the Warriors, which took the entire world off guard and helped the Dubs win back-to-back championships, a move that was highly praised by Isiah Thomas.
Isiah Thomas credits Kevin Durant with saving the Warriors’ legacy
The 2x NBA Champion and legend Isiah Thomas appeared in ‘The Draymond Green Show’, and while the podcast went on, Thomas had some views on how Kevin Durant made an impact on the Warriors’ dynasty.
Thomas said, “Let me make a bold statement here and I hope this doesn’t upset you. Before Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, y’all were on the verge of pshh [going down] and being remembered as the team that went 73-9 and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.”
Thomas further said that if it weren’t for Durant, the 73-win Warriors would be known for the biggest upset in the history of the NBA. After having the best regular-season record in history, going three games up in the finals, and losing it all in the end, Draymond Green responded, “That didn’t hurt me at all,” acknowledging Durant’s presence and the impact he made wearing the Warriors jersey.
Kevin Durant’s performance in the Warriors’ championship-winning seasons
Kevin Durant changed the course of the NBA after joining the Warriors in 2016 and made the Warriors the most dominant team for two seasons, going back to back in the finals and falling just short of a three-peat.
Due to serious injuries sustained by Kevin and Klay Thompson during the 2019 NBA finals, the Toronto Raptors came on top in the finals, winning their first-ever NBA Championship.
After the 2019 season, Durant was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal, sending D’Angelo Russell, Shabazz Napier, and Treveon Graham to the Warriors. In 2022, the Stephen Curry Warriors went on to win another championship, winning their fourth title in 8 years.
