Kevin Durant has shared his belief that some Golden State Warriors fans remain unsettled by his NBA Finals MVP victories in 2017 and 2018. Speaking on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Durant responded to fans and commentators, suggesting that his Finals MVP recognitions left a lasting impact on Warriors supporters.
The superstar forward stated,
“Them finals mvps I won hurt you. Scarred alot of warrior fans when my name was announced.”
This remark points to an ongoing tension within the Warriors fanbase about who deserved the honor during their championship runs.
Context behind the Finals MVP controversy within the Warriors dynasty
The debate around Finals MVP awards gained traction after Andre Iguodala, then a veteran on the team, was awarded the honor over Steph Curry following the Warriors’ 2015 championship. Subsequently, Durant received the award in the 2017 and 2018 Finals, edging out Curry twice during Golden State’s successful title defenses. This sequence contributed to narratives questioning Curry’s impact on the biggest stage, despite his integral role for the Warriors.
Durant’s comments indicate that some fans may feel frustration that Curry did not secure the Finals MVP during those initial championship years. The situation was finally resolved in 2022 when Curry earned the accolade for Golden State’s fourth title.
Statistical comparison from the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals
Examining the Finals performances, Durant posted impressive stats during these series. In the 2017 Finals across five games, Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists with high shooting efficiencies (55.6 FG%, 47.4 3PT%). In 2018, over four games, he maintained strong numbers with 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
Curry’s Finals statistics during those same years were also notable but typically fell short of Durant’s outputs. In 2017, Curry averaged 26.8 points and 9.4 assists with lower shooting percentages (44 FG%, 38.8 3PT%). In 2018, his scoring and rebounding decreased slightly to 27.5 points and 6 rebounds, with shooting percentages of 40.2 FG% and 41.5 3PT%.
The broader impact on Warriors fans and team legacy
While Durant claims some fans continue to harbor resentment over the Finals MVP decisions, Curry’s four championship rings suggest he remains a celebrated figure among Golden State supporters. The debate over MVP awards underscores the complexities of recognizing individual contributions within a dominant team.
As the Warriors prepare for future seasons, including high-profile games such as their opening match against the Lakers and hosting the Mavericks on Christmas Day, this conversation may persist among fans and analysts alike, reflecting on the legacy of the team’s championship runs and the players who defined them.