Kevin Durant knows this is his moment after years of NBA heartbreak
The 28-year-old forward is on the brink of his first NBA championship and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he’s earned it
Kevin Durant had been waiting his whole life to sink the three-pointer that lifted Golden State over Cleveland and put him on the brink of an NBA championship.
The 28-year-old forward hit the go-ahead shot with 45 seconds remaining to put the Warriors ahead to stay in game three of the NBA Finals, giving Golden State a 3-0 edge in the best-of-seven series that could end on Saturday morning (Hong Kong time) in Cleveland.
Durant left Oklahoma City last July to join Golden State hoping to become a champion. The Warriors are 15-0 in the playoffs and would complete the first unbeaten post-season run in NBA history by winning game four.
“I’m not even thinking about that,” Durant said. “I’m just trying to go out there and play hard every second I’m on the floor, play with passion and energy and joy. That’s all I’m concerned about.
“I didn’t envision anything but just being around good people and getting better every single day. That’s exactly what happened throughout the season.”
It’s a maturing process that Warriors coach Steve Kerr can see in Durant seeking the ball in clutch moments and blending his skills with his teammates rather than trying to force his style upon them.