It’s obvious that Kevin Durant has found his stride as a member of the Golden State Warriors.
The reigning Finals MVP is widely regarded as a top-three player in the world and he showed exactly why in Game 3 on Wednesday, lighting up the Cleveland Cavaliers for a career playoff-high 43 points on 15-of-23 shooting while also posting 13 rebounds and seven assists en route to Golden State's third-straight victory.
Last summer, Durant famously took about $10 million less to re-sign with the Warriors on a two-year deal in order to keep the team's core in tact. With a title last season and now with a 3-0 lead in this year’s series, it has paid off for KD, who arrived in Golden State for one reason: to win rings.
With Durant almost certainly slated to opt out of the $26.25 million that he’s owed for next season, there’s a chance that he doesn’t end up back with the Warriors next season.
But, judging by his responses to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, that chance is very, very small.
He wants to stay in Oakland.
“I feel as though (I am),” Durant said when asked if he’s planning to stay put. “Everything, the money and stuff that’s got to, the contract got to (be) worked out, but I plan on being here. I said that earlier this year. I didn’t plan on anything else, but this is the NBA, and anything can happen. And I know that anything can happen, (because) I’ve been a part of this league for so long now.”
Comfort zone
Most of all, Durant has received the comfort that he was looking for while playing alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and under coach Steve Kerr.
“I learned that coach (Steve Kerr) trusts me to do so much out there,” Durant explained. “He believes in me. He believes I can do so much. My teammates believe that I can set the tone, that I can dictate a lot out there on the court. I just try to do my best to be great in those situations, to be the best version of me in those situations. If I overthink too much, not make it more than what it is. Just be simple with everything that I do, and do my job, whatever coach needs me to do, whatever my teammates need me to do. I have a responsibility to myself to play at a high level, so with all those things, I learned all those things and I’m still learning them, especially when you’re coming to a group where things have always kind of been set, the foundation has been set and I’m just adding on to the top.”
If Durant stays and the Warriors can keep their core together, they will undoubtedly be the favorites to win what could be their fourth title in five years next season (if they win their current series, of course).