Much has been made about the pressure Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant will be under after making an unforeseen switch to the Bay Area after playing for one franchise for the first nine years of his career.
While the 2014 MVP has said in multiple interviews that his decision of changing teams wasn't based on a ring-chase, but rather the best situation for himself and his career, the mood remains that Durant is on a lose-lose situation when it comes to the NBA Finals.
The pressure to win is at an all-time high, this time boasting a much more experienced roster than his 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder team — but if he does indeed win, the criticism of switching teams will rain down as soon as the first piece of confetti touches him post-game.
If he fails to win with this team, the social media mockery will be plentiful and likely non-stop throughout the rest of the offseason.
Article Continues BelowRegardless of the imminent challenge ahead of him, Durant remained confident on his approach.
“I'm just trying to be the best me I can be,” Durant told reporters in a pre-finals press conference. “That's the only pressure I worry about.”
"I'm just trying to be the best me I can be. That's the only pressure I worry about" — @KDTrey5
LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/yn1oQfp4Sk #DubNation pic.twitter.com/yrRFFfcFeg
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) May 31, 2017
Despite missing two games this postseason, Durant has stepped up his game after every round, going from 21 points per game against the Portland Trail Blazers to 24.5 per night against the Utah Jazz to 28 points per contest against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors will need the best version of their new acquisition in the NBA Finals, as they go against a three-headed monster of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love, who are thirsty for another repeat performance.