Why Kevin Durant Needs Steph Curry to Win an NBA Title: A Breakdown

Why Kevin Durant Needs Steph Curry to Win an NBA Title: A...

By Jocelyn Alano June 25, 2024 14:40

credit. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The dynamics of how NBA players work together are pretty crazy when you dig deep. A notable example would be the inevitable necessity of Kevin Durant to win an NBA title with Steph Curry, and his inability to win without him. Follow along on Durant's tour of accomplishments and career, with a special focus on his need for Curry, exploring what makes the two-time NBA champion so great.

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Kevin Durant

Born September 29, 1988, In Washington D.C., Kevin Wayne Durant is a man who followed a distinguished career path to the top of the NBA and became one of his league's elite players. At 6-10, Durant is one of the most formidable players in the game today. Since his time with the Seattle SuperSonics early on in his career, to his brief stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, then moving on to the Golden State Warriors, and now with the Brooklyn Nets, Durant has never faltered from being a premier force in the Association.

Durant's Fame and Career

His elite status was cemented with his laundry list of accolades. Durant has been a four-time NBA scoring champion, two-time NBA champion, and twice named NBA Finals MVP, proof of his exceptional ability as well as how supremely committed he is to his skill set. He is in a class of his own because he can get buckets from anywhere and lock up on the other end.

The Immovable Relationship with Steph Curry

But when looking closer at the path Durant has taken to win a title, it is clear that his success runs parallel with the ultimate X-Factor in Golden State: Steph Curry. Durant and Curry together were an all-time partnership during their tenure with the Golden State Warriors. Together they helped steer the Warriors to titles in 2017 and 2018, with Durant correctly winning Finals MVP both times.

Kevin Durant Needs Curry

This partnership is what seemingly exposes Durant for needing Curry to get an NBA title. Interestingly enough, the most intriguing part is when you look at what Durant did post-Warriors. Durant, despite his otherworldly talent, hasn't been superhuman when asked to do too much without Curry anchoring him behind screens. That the Golden State Warriors were able to win an NBA Championship without Durant in 2022 only doubles down on this dependency, and underscores how much (at least some version) of struggling so mightily to succeed is potentially due to a unique combination of factors-including that he has played exceptionally well in the past with Russell Westbrook.

Collaboration

Few things contribute to the Durant-Curry dynamic being so fascinating like their undeniable chemistry and how well they play together. As great a scorer as Durant can be, and is, even he has no equivalent to Curry when it comes to shaping the game purely with shooting and playmaking. This synergy not only leads to on-court success but also illustrates just how important teamwork and camaraderie can be in basketball.

How Legends Are Made

When browsing the annals of NBA lore, the Durant-Curry pairing will always be a historical microcosm that illustrates how star players operate and interact with one another on (and off) the floor. While Durant is penning his place in the annals of basketball, the mystery of whether he can win an NBA title without Curry remains, tantalizing fans and analysts alike with a Gordian knot of team dynamics, individual greatness, and the chase for championship glory.
Although the sequel to Durant's storied basketball novel is far from written, the captivating relationship between these two giants of hardwood is yet to be finished.