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The Golden State Warriors have seen a boon of success since picking up Kevin Durant, cruising to two championships and in line for a third consecutive trophy since acquiring him as a free agent. Yet greats like Dwyane Wade are able to admire Stephen Curry's willingness to take a star player of his caliber and make it work, almost seamlessly.
“Special, man,” Wade said of Curry, according to Michael Lee of The Athletic. “You got a guy who won two MVPs. Not saying they would’ve won without KD but maybe they wouldn’t have won it every year, but they would’ve had the chance to win it every year, with the team they had, and those guys to welcome him with open arms, knowing that it was going to take whatever it is away, shots and opportunities, or whatever.”
Upon acquiring Durant on July 4, 2016 — questions quickly arose about who will have to give up the most. Maybe Curry, maybe Klay Thompson, maybe even Draymond Green giving up his already small share of the offensive load.
Yet neither of the three made it a big deal, as Durant came in with the intent to fit in without taking away from the team's ball-sharing mentality, but buying into it.
“The ultimate goal is to win. And that’s special. That’s why they’re a special team and special group. Because they’ve been able to make the sacrifice,” Wade said of the Warriors. “Not a lot of people can do it. And you’ve seen it. A lot of people have struggled doing it. Maybe because you’re young, maybe because a lot of people haven’t done it before you, so you don’t see. But it’s special when guys are able to make the sacrifice for the betterment of the team.”
The Warriors had a rare mix of experience and youthful exuberance, a strange combination, but one that ultimately allowed them to mesh and make things work, despite a few bumps on the road throughout the way.
“You see some teams, you look at like, why them guys ain’t better? Why ain’t they more successful? Because it’s tough to sacrifice,” said Wade. “It’s tough to do, with team basketball, to do whatever is needed. Because everybody want to shine.”
Curry and Durant have shared the spotlight masterfully, and it hasn't been more evident than in the last two NBA Finals, in which Durant earned Finals MVP honors, depriving Curry of the lone empty accolade in his showcase room.
The Warriors point guard never showed any signs of animosity, but rather embraced Durant, empowering him and giving him credit for the way he's helped lift this organization to two more titles since 2015.
