On February 13, the Golden State Warriors will square off against the Brooklyn Nets. Nets forward Kevin Durant will also be making his return to the Bay Area as an active player, after departing the squad two seasons ago. Per Anthony Slater of  The Athletic, Warriors guard Stephen Curry had a comment on the Warriors' performances during Durant's tenure with the team.

Curry said, “Some of the best basketball the world has ever seen.”

Even that bold remark may be an understatement to the dominance Golden State showed in those three seasons with Durant. Following a historic, 73-win season, Durant suited up for the Warriors in the 2016-2017 edition of the league. While this team had a worse regular-season record, there was no doubt that this team was far more potent.

It was a perfect storm of opportunity for Golden State, as the salary cap that season ballooned, which made it possible to acquire Durant, while still keeping core players like Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala. These players had team-friendly contracts. This team made the Finals in each of those three seasons and won it all twice. Had injuries not decimated the team, they probably would have won a third one.

The Warriors are in the eighth spot in the Western Conference with a 14-12 record, while the Nets have won 15 games and lost 12, which puts them in third place in the East. After last year's dismal season, Golden State is hoping to make the postseason. Meanwhile, Brooklyn mortgaged their future to have Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden on the team and attempt to win a championship.