His teammates said Kevin Durant’s fall and exit early in the second quarter of the NBA Finals Game 5 felt like life got sucked out of the Golden State Warriors.
No, Durant cried. He said Golden State’s dazzling 106-105 tripping of Toronto yesterday brought him new life and immense joy.
The Warriors had looked ready to drown, falling behind by six points with a little over two minutes left in Game 5 yesterday. But Steph Curry and Klay Thompson came to the rescue with patented 3-pointers. Draymond Green stood mighty tall in homestretch defense.
“Like I got a shot of tequila,” quipped Durant who was scheduled for an MRI, after barely a full quarter of action upon returning from a month-long sidelining due to a calf injury.
It’s unfair how nasty rumors had pictured Durant as a capricious star who preferred to take his sweet time while his team suffered and was being pushed close to disastrous dethronement.
Golden State team manager Bob Myers said Durant was misunderstood mainly by those who asked if he wanted to stay with the Golden State team.
Durant, who’s due for free agency, risked a lot in agreeing to see action in Game 5.
Myers said he was taking responsibility for everything.
Klay Thompson said Durant wanted them to compete at the highest level.
Steph Curry said it would be terribly tough to compete now, but vowed to make Durant a rallying point.
The Warriors were given only a slim chance in Toronto yesterday, where Canadians from all over had converged to be part of an expected coronation of the Raptors as NBA champions.
The Raptors took off big by taking Game One of the NBA Finals at home, but were badly beaten by the Warriors in the next game for a 1-all series score.
In a stunning twist, the Raptors travelled to Golden State where they scored back-to-back wins to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 Finals.
The startling one-point win yesterday put the championship series at 3-2 and has pushed Golden State in a strong position to make it 3-all at home in Game 6.
If that happens, expect Durant to be on the team bench to provide immense inspiration.
Klay Thompson has said he will always think of Durant every time he steps on the hardwood.