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Nicolas Atkin

In 2012, LeBron James sought out Kevin Durant after the Miami Heat had wrapped up a 4-1 NBA Finals series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James, who was named Finals MVP then, hugged Durant in a warm embrace after securing his first NBA championship.
Five years on, the roles were reversed at Oracle Arena in Oakland when the two hugged each other again.
“He’s the only guy I was looking at since 2012. He’s the only guy who could look me eye-to-eye,” Durant said of his close friend, after leading the way in the Golden State Warriors’ 4-1 series win over James’ defending champions the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In his first season since joining the Warriors as a free agent from the Thunder in one of the most debated moves in NBA history, Durant was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points in the series.
He contributed 39 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the 129-120 game-five title clincher, claiming his first NBA title as the Warriors’ won their second in three seasons.
LeBron James’ future at Cleveland Cavaliers once again hangs over NBA’s greatest player
During their embrace this time around, Durant lifted his hand to his mouth and spoke in James’ ear.
“I told him we’re tied up now and we’re going to try to do this thing again, but I’m going to celebrate this one tonight,” Durant revealed of their conversation.
“I knew it was going to be a battle. I just tried to challenge him ... you can’t stop the guy, but we battled.”

At his postgame media conference, James was asked if he felt happy for his friend winning his first NBA championship.
“Well I’m not happy he won his first, I’m not happy at all,” James said. “From when I played him in the 2012 Finals to now ... experience is the best teacher in life, and he’s just experiencing and experiencing and experiencing.”
“It also helps,” James added with a chuckle, as he paused to carefully choose his next words, “when you are able to experience some things with this team as well.”
Incredible Kevin Durant leads Golden State Warriors to NBA title in game five win over defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers
The game-five victory over the Cavs capped an emotional journey for Durant, who spent nine years with the Thunder and was part of the side that blew a 3-1 lead to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals last year.
With fans and pundits questioning the motivations behind his move last summer, Durant had simply said he came to an already star-studded Warriors lineup to win championships.
“He felt like he needed to reassemble and reassess his career and come here,” continued James.
“Getting that first championship was for me like having my first son. Just a proud moment, something you’ll never forget. No matter what anybody say, they can never take that away that you’re a champion. It may be the last thing they say, but they’re always gonna have to say you’re a champion.”

"To be a part of this, to be a champion and Finals MVP is what you dream about as a kid. Glad we got the job done." -@KDTrey5#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/gRMFnkj5Qm
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 13, 2017

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Durant is just the third player since 1969 to win the Finals MVP honour in their first season with a team.
His crucial game three-winning ‘dagger’ shot on the road in Cleveland had put the Warriors on the brink of the title with a 3-0 lead.
The Cavs kept the series alive by winning their second home game of the series, and the nerves likely started creeping in among Warriors fans after the visitors led for much of the first half in game five in Oakland.
Memories of the Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead in last year’s Finals surely came flooding back. They couldn’t throw it away again, could they?

“I couldn’t sleep for two days,” said Durant. “I was anxious. I was jittery. I just wanted to put it all out there.
“We battled. But we did it. We’re champions. And we’re celebrating on our home court.
“I’m just so happy to be a part of it, man. I can’t wait to celebrate with my teammates in the locker room.”
After doing what he came to Golden State to do, Durant was asked if he had any words for his mother, who was in attendance close by.
“We did it,” Durant said. “I told you when I was eight years old. We did it.”

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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Kevin Durant lands NBA Finals MVP in LeBron James role reversal five years on

Kevin Durant hugs LeBron James after game five. Photo: AFP

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after winning the NBA Fianls MVP in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) hugs Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) after game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

FILE - In this June 21, 2012, file photo,Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) works the ball against Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the first half at Game 5 of the NBA finals basketball series in Miami. Durant and James will team-up for the USA in this summer's Olympics. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Incredible Kevin Durant leads Golden State Warriors to NBA title in game five win over defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates with forward Draymond Green after sealing the NBA championship. Photo: USA Today

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Jun 12, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson (24) during the first half in game five of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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Warriors star contributes 39 points in 122-110 game-five title clincher over the Cavaliers to claim his first title, after James’ Heat had denied him in 2012


LeBron James

Kevin Durant lands NBA Finals MVP in LeBron James role reversal five years on

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Warriors star contributes 39 points in 122-110 game-five title clincher over the Cavaliers to claim his first title, after James’ Heat had denied him in 2012

Warriors star contributes 39 points in 122-110 game-five title clincher over the Cavaliers to claim his first title, after James’ Heat had denied him in 2012