With the NBA Conference Finals coming up, whether it’s the Warrior’s pretty ball movement, or the fact that Kevin Durant is a free agent; we look at five things we’ve learnt throughout the Playoffs.
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WARRIORS MADE OF STEEL AND SILK
BOGUT HAS BECOME KEY
The big Australian centre had become something of a foul liability for the Warriors, while Golden State’s legendary ‘death’ small ball lineup had marginalised him, but he rose to the occasion with a monster performance in the series-turning Game 5. The Warriors will still likely use him sparingly against Cleveland, although with Tristan Thompson starting for the Cavs, Andrew Bogut could earn some big minutes in the opening few games.
GREEN CAN’T BE THIS BAD AGAIN
Yes, there’s the shooting of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson but so much of what the Warriors have achieved this season has been down to the all-tround game of Draymond Green. A brilliant passer, shooter and defender with the size of a big man and skill of a guard. However, for at least three games of the Western Conference finals, OKC had him bottled up. He was quiet again in Game 7 but against the Cavs he needs to rediscover his A-game.
ADAMS STEPPED UP
The James Harden trade will forever haunt OKC until they win a championship and while you can deliberate the deal for hours on end, one considerable piece they gained out of it was Steven Adams. It’s taken him a while to come to the fore, as his offensive inconsistency has seen coach Billy Donovan often prefer Enes Kanter but across the series, the Kiwi was one of the standout players. It’s just a shame he left his worst display for Game 7.
DURANT WILL PROBABLY STAY
As it stands Kevin Durant is a free agent and technically can join any NBA team who wants him and can afford him. That’s likely to cover at least half the league but after a deeply impressive playoff run you would imagine OKC remain his most likely destination. He and Russell Westbrook are at their peaks and must be thinking one more big season next year – before Westbrook also becomes a free agent – could lead to that elusive title.