The Warriors sweeping the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals created many discussions and comparisons with Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kevin Durant for the greatest player of all time. Here is a quick summary of what I will cover:- Kyrie Irving was not the difference when the Cavs won the championship.
- Michael Jordan, LeBron James or Kevin Durant for the greatest player of all time.
- Jordan would not have left the Bulls to create a "Super Team" like Durant.
It was said that Kyrie Irving being injured 4 years ago was the reason why the Warriors beat the Cavs in the first championship and was why the Cavs won 3 years ago. So quickly we forget about Draymon Green being suspended for game 5 of those finals and how Harrison Barnes failed to score when given the opportunities. If those events didn't happen, Kyrie would not have had a 40 point game and there would not have been a game 7 with Curry missing and Kyrie hitting the game winner!
KYRIE IRVING BEING THE DIFFERENCE IS A MYTH!
If Kyrie Irving was so good:
- Why didn't he lead the Cavs to the playoffs while LeBron was gone in Miami?
- Why did the Cavs have a similar record without him this year?
- Why did the Celtics beat everyone this year through the playoffs without Kyrie?
Yes, LeBron James led the Cavs to an unbelievable game 7 win against the Celtics, but without LeBron the Cavs would not have won one game in this year's playoffs. The Celtics were the only other team other than the Rockets who have beaten the Warriors on a regular basis. I am a Lakers fan, so it hurts to say that the Celtics were that good and did it without Kyrie Irving.
LeBron James had a historic playoff run over the past 8 years and has solidified himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history, but the discussion with Michael Jordan is not fair for anyone. It was a different era of basketball where defenders would lay on the offensive player to restrict their movement. Michael Jordan prevailed and there was not another player other than Dominique Wilkins, during his time that was on his level.
LeBron James on the other hand has benefited by hands off defense. He still gets fouled, many times they are not called, when driving to the basket because he is so big and strong. There were a number of Warriors players that guarded LeBron well and could have guarded him throughout the game. The difference in this year's NBA Finals was Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green, Jordan Bell, Klay Thompson, JaVale McGee and Kevin Durant all guarded LeBron James well. LeBron is going to get his points, but LeBron was limited by how many different players could guard him well.
LeBron James was practically shut down when Kevin Durant guarded him. Durant blocked shots, took charges and his length affected shots on everyone he guards. On the other hand, Kevin Durant is un-guardable! Everyone wanted to see LeBron guard Durant, but that rarely happened by choice. No matter who guarded Durant, he shot over anyone in front of him and made almost everything. There were a few times he took some dumb shots, but those were so few it didn't matter. Most of Durant's shots were made and is why Durant is the only player that should be compared to Michael Jordan in terms of abilities. Like Jordan, Durant can score on anybody and can guard anybody in the NBA.
Since we have shifted this to Kevin Durant, many say that Michael Jordan would not have left the Bulls to create a "Super Team." So many people forget that the Lakers were in talks to get Michael Jordan a couple of times during his career. If the Bulls didn't draft Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and later Tony Kukoc, Jordan was leaving Chicago. Like the Warriors, the Bulls drafted their "Super Team" then made trades and attracted free agents to pick up players like Steve Kerr and Dennis Rodman. By the way, Michael Jordan did not play his whole career with the Bulls as he left and played with the Wizards at the end of his career even though it was not to create a "Super Team." So Michael didn't leave the Bulls to create a "Super Team" like Durant and LeBron, but he did leave.
Kevin Durant left the Thunder for a big reason and that reason is Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook is one of the few players that creates a fast break when ever he touches the ball, but when you play at that high level and take shots before the rest of the team passes half court, why would you need someone who can shoot over anyone like the un-guardable Kevin Durant? So when you are the currently the best player in the NBA, you have your choice of who you want to play with and for, where would you go? The best player in the world does not want to go to a team to wait 4 years to build around him when he just came out of that situation. The Warriors let Harrison Barnes go, which created the perfect opening for Kevin Durant. Those that expect his pride to get in the way, don't understand that Durant wants to win more than prove something to someone who he doesn't have to see in the mirror everyday.
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