In a compelling revelation, former Golden State Warriors player Quinn Cook sheds light on Kevin Durant’s selfless approach during the 2017-18 NBA season. Despite having clinched the Finals MVP in 2017, Durant’s primary objective was to see his teammate, Stephen Curry, secure the coveted award in 2018. This insight highlights a remarkable display of camaraderie and a superstar’s commitment to his team's collective success, rather than individual accolades. It underscores the unique dynamic within that championship-winning Warriors squad, where personal glory often took a backseat to shared aspirations.
During an appearance on The Player’s Choice podcast, Quinn Cook recounted how Durant’s focus throughout the 2017-18 season was intensely fixed on ensuring Stephen Curry would claim the Finals MVP. According to Cook, Durant constantly spoke about his wish for Curry to silence the skeptics who doubted his ability to earn the award. This perspective challenges the common narrative that often portrays star players as solely driven by personal achievements, instead revealing a deeper layer of team-oriented thinking from one of the league's top talents.
The 2018 NBA Finals saw the Warriors once again facing the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking their fourth consecutive championship matchup. Early in the series, it seemed Curry was on track to fulfill Durant's wish. In Game 2, Curry delivered an exceptional performance, breaking the Finals record for most three-pointers made in a single game, which significantly boosted his MVP candidacy. This moment showcased Curry’s unparalleled shooting prowess and indicated that the narrative of him finally winning the MVP was gaining momentum.
However, the series took a dramatic turn in Game 3. Curry experienced an off-night with his shooting, while Durant delivered a monumental performance, scoring 43 points. Cook vividly described this as Durant "accidentally walking into 40" points, emphasizing the organic and impactful nature of his scoring, which included a critical deep three-pointer in the game's decisive moments. Despite Durant’s explicit desire for Curry to win the MVP, his sheer dominance inadvertently propelled him towards the award. By Game 4, Durant’s comprehensive contribution, capped by a triple-double performance without actively seeking his own shots, solidified his claim to a second consecutive Finals MVP trophy. This remarkable consistency and impact simply highlighted his exceptional skill level, as Cook noted, "That's just how good he is."
While Kevin Durant's back-to-back Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018 are pivotal to his legacy with the Warriors, Quinn Cook's account reveals the underlying intention: a desire to elevate his teammate. Ultimately, Stephen Curry did achieve his first Finals MVP in 2022, leading the Warriors to another championship, four years after Durant's departure. This eventual triumph for Curry echoed the aspiration Durant held for him during their time together, completing a narrative arc that speaks volumes about their professional relationship and the ultimate pursuit of team success.
