The NBA Finals are well behind us and the Golden State Warriors are the champions for the 2016/2017 season, but that doesn't mean the fans will stop talking about it. The Warriors stormed through the playoffs and won the title with an impressive 16-1 record, and the Cavaliers were never really any threat in the Finals. Golden State dismantled Cleveland 4-1 in the Finals, and won their second title in three years. Kevin Durant was named Finals MVP as he averaged 35.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field throughout the five games in the series.
As everyone may recall, Durant only joined the Warriors last summer, but that doesn't diminish the greatness of his accomplishment. Surely, playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green made his job a lot easier, but don't be fooled - Kevin Durant was arguably the best player on the biggest stage of the NBA and his stats back that up.
Paul Pierce thinks Durant is better than LeBron
Even though LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to average a triple double in the Finals, there are others that think he is no longer the best basketball player in the world. Paul Pierce is one of them. After Game 2 of the Finals when Durant finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds, Pierce stated that: "Durant may be the best player in the world today." He received a lot of heat for those comments, but he didn't back down from the pressure as he recently doubled down on those remarks.
Pierce spoke to DIME Magazine's Ananth Pandian and explained why he still thinks that Durant is the best player in the NBA. Pierce said: "We’ve never seen this combination in the history of our league – a seven footer, who runs a pick and roll at the top, who shoots the ball the way he does."
Truth to be told, Pierce has a point.
Kevin Durant is certainly a "one of a kind" player, but is he really better than LeBron James? "The Truth" thinks so: "If you’re the guy that’s the best player on the best team and you’re winning championships, I think you are the best player (in the world)."
Pierce's rivalry with James
During his days with the Celtics, Pierce was often considered the biggest rival LeBron had in the league, so these comments come as no surprise.
Pierce and James had many battles on the basketball court throughout their careers, and it appears this rivalry continues off the court as well. It remains to be seen who will have the last laugh, as James and his Cavaliers seem to be one of the favorites to win the NBA title in the years to come.