The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, built on three championships in five consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2019, saw a pivotal shift when Kevin Durant joined their roster after the 2016 Finals. Former NBA champion Jeff Teague recently emphasized the crucial role Kevin Durant had on the Warriors’ success, stating that without him, the team’s legacy might have been very different.
Teague argued that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ superior roster construction during the 2016 Finals forced the Warriors to add more star power. Speaking on the Club 520 podcast, Teague praised the Warriors team with Durant as possibly the greatest in history, citing their collection of Hall of Famers and elite players.
Jeff Teague Highlights the Warriors’ Historic Talent with Kevin Durant
Teague described the Warriors’ lineup during Durant’s tenure as incredibly well-rounded, boasting multiple top-tier players on both offense and defense. He pointed out the stellar individual reputations of the core members, including Durant’s status as one of the greatest scorers in basketball history, and the presence of two exceptional shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
He noted Draymond Green’s defensive prowess, ranking him among the top defenders historically, while also acknowledging other key contributors like Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, whose roles greatly supported the team’s championship push.
“They are probably the greatest team of all time. They got two bona fide Hall of Famers, top 20 on everybody’s list, probably in basketball history. Arguably one of the greatest scorers.” —Jeff Teague
“Got the best three-point shooter and then the second greatest three-point shooter on some people’s list in Klay Thompson. Then you got an all-defensive world player in Draymond Green. Probably make the Top 10 in defensive players of all time.” —Jeff Teague
“Then you got a top 25 defender in Andre Iguodala. Yeah. Then you got a top 50 sixth man of the year in Sean Livingston. He ain’t never won sixth man of the year, but you know what I mean…. That KD team was crazy.” —Jeff Teague
The Cavaliers’ 2016 Team Strength Sparked the Warriors to Add Durant
Teague’s co-hosts suggested the Warriors realized after losing the 2016 Finals that they needed to improve their team to overcome the Cavaliers. Teague agreed, explaining how Cleveland’s roster was constructed with more top-tier talent, especially pointing to the higher draft pedigree of their stars like Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, both former No. 1 picks.
He argued that the Cavaliers’ team in 2016 was simply better than the Warriors‘ squad at the time, emphasizing the superior draft positions and experience of Cleveland’s key players including Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and J.R. Smith.
“Yeah, but n****s don’t understand the Cavs team was better than the Warriors team. Yeah. Without KD, they’re better, bro. Think about it. You got two No. 1 picks on your team [Kyrie Irving and LeBron James]. Steph and Klay, they’re nobody y’all Bron and Kyrie were supposed to be this. Steph and Klay weren’t supposed to be this,” —Jeff Teague
Debating the Origins of the Warriors’ Decision to Sign Kevin Durant
While Teague credits the Cavaliers’ superior lineup as the motivation behind the Warriors acquiring Durant, other perspectives underline that Golden State was coming off an unprecedented 73-win season in 2016. Some argue that the move was more strategic than desperate, a plan orchestrated by Jerry West and Stephen Curry to capitalize on Durant’s free agency rather than a response to a perceived talent gap.
Despite the Warriors ultimately losing the 2016 Finals after holding a 3-1 lead, many believe that the old roster still had the capacity to win. The series outcome could have been different, and had the Warriors closed out that series, the narrative and necessity of adding Durant might not have emerged as sharply.
The Lasting Impact of Kevin Durant on the Warriors’ Legacy
The addition of Kevin Durant shifted the balance in the NBA and cemented the Warriors’ dominance from 2017 onward, contributing significantly to their championship victories. Durant’s presence transformed the team’s offense and defense, enhancing their versatility and scoring ability.
Jeff Teague’s reflections highlight how rooted the Warriors’ dynasty is to Durant’s involvement, suggesting that without his game-changing impact, the team may not be considered one of the greatest in basketball history. The 2016 Finals remain a key moment when the rivalry between the Warriors and Cavaliers reshaped the league’s competitive landscape.