Former Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas recently shared his candid thoughts on the Golden State Warriors during an appearance on a podcast hosted by a current Warriors player. Thomas made a bold statement suggesting that the 2015-16 Warriors were headed for a downfall despite their record-breaking 73-9 regular season performance.
Thomas highlighted the Warriors' loss to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals, where Golden State squandered a 3-1 series lead, ultimately leading to the Cavaliers' championship victory. He described this series as one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history.
The narrative shifted for the Warriors when Kevin Durant joined the team in the subsequent offseason, signing a significant contract. Durant's arrival played a pivotal role in Golden State winning two NBA titles in 2017 and 2018, both against the Cavaliers. Thomas emphasized that Durant's presence altered the trajectory of the Warriors' legacy, suggesting that without him, their accomplishments would have been viewed differently.
Thomas credited Durant for 'saving' the Warriors' basketball legacy and implied that the addition of the now-Phoenix Suns forward was instrumental in solidifying the team's place in NBA history. The conversation shed light on the impact of key player acquisitions and how they can shape the narrative surrounding a team's success.
