The Golden State Warriors\u2019 dynasty is one of the most celebrated in NBA history, but Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas believes the story could have played out very differently.<\/p>\n
Thomas has no problem telling Draymond Green straight to his face that Kevin Durant\u2019s arrival was the difference between a dynasty and a collapse.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me make a bold statement here, and I hope this don\u2019t upset you,\u201d Thomas said appearing on The Draymond Green Show<\/a>. \u201cBefore Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, y\u2019all were on the verge of being remembered as the team that went 73-9 and lost to a Cleveland Cavaliers team in the Finals up 3-1 and probably one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history \u2013 from a 73-9 historical team.<\/p>\n Isiah Thomas believes Kevin Durant saved Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green basketball legacies<\/p>\n \u201cBefore KD arrived in Golden State y\u2019all were on the verge of being remembered for one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history.\u201d<\/p>\n (Via @DraymondShow<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/kgKUR1j80a<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) August 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cKevin Durant comes that summer and really saves y\u2019all basketball legacies, and you win two championships after that,\u201d Thomas continued. \u201cAnd now the Golden State Warriors dynasty that you\u2019re going to go in the Hall of Fame on and everything else is cemented because if Durant doesn\u2019t come that summer and you guys are remembered as the 73-9 team that lost [up] 3-1 in the NBA Finals, all of your legacies are different.\u201d<\/p>\n Durant\u2019s three seasons in the Bay resulted in back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, establishing Steve Kerr\u2019s squad as one of the greatest teams ever assembled.<\/p>\n His departure in 2019 shifted the balance of power, but the Warriors\u2019 core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Green added a fourth ring in 2022 as huge underdogs that season.<\/p>\n Golden State has continued its push for another championship. The front office brought in Jimmy Butler at last season\u2019s trade deadline, and veteran Al Horford is expected to join on a deal worth more than the minimum.<\/p>\n Since his departure from The Bay, KD hasn\u2019t been able to secure another championship.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Dennis Schroder Subject to Racial Abuse at EuroBasket<\/a><\/p>\n \t