In 2019, the Toronto Raptors captured Canada\u2019s first NBA championship. Their remarkable postseason run concluded with ending the Golden State Warriors\u2019 dynasty. Unfortunately, however, neither team was able to compete at full capacity. The Warriors didn\u2019t have Kevin Durant for most of the series. But when he did return, it struck fear in the hearts of Raptors players.<\/p>\n
Ever since Golden State acquired Kevin Durant<\/a>, they have been virtually unbeatable. The first two seasons of his tenure with the team resulted in a championship. If they were to win another ring, the Warriors would\u2019ve become the first team since the 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers to achieve a three-peat. Those dreams suffered a major hit when Durant strained his calf in the Warriors\u2019 second-round series against the Houston Rockets.<\/p>\n The setback would also force him to miss the entire Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers and the first four games of the NBA Finals. While Durant\u2019s absence hurt the Warriors, it certainly helped the Toronto Raptors,<\/a> leading many to downplay Toronto\u2019s championship due to Durant\u2019s injury. But the Raptors could only play who was in front of them<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Raptors took advantage of the Durant-less Warriors by quickly jumping out to a 3-1 lead. The decisive Game 5 was in Toronto, and all signs pointed to the series\u2019 conclusion. But everything flipped upside down once Durant returned to the lineup. The shock of the two-time NBA champion\u2019s return even sent waves through the Raptors roster.<\/p>\n \u201cI like to have pressure,\u201d Serge Ibaka said<\/a> on the\u00a0Hello and Welcome\u00a0podcast. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t know what to think during that time.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Raptors big man, Serge Ibaka<\/a>, couldn\u2019t help but feel some nerves creep in once Durant set foot on the court. Although he had confidence that his team would win regardless, it\u2019s hard to ignore the calibre of player KD is. \u201cThat\u2019s Kevin Durant, man. Easy money. He\u2019s a killer,\u201d Ibaka proclaimed.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-11 forward was once teammates with Durant back when they played for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He saw up close for seven years the tremendous skill Durant put on display in games and during practice. Ibaka knew that the tide of the series could change with Durant on the court, which it did.<\/p>\n Durant came out of the gates on fire to begin Game 5, knocking down his first three three-pointers en route to 11 quick points. Unfortunately, he would eventually suffer an Achilles injury that would change his future with the Warriors and as an NBA player.<\/p>\n