Ty Lue Reflects on Warriors’ Dominance During Durant Era

The Golden State Warriors’ acquisition of Kevin Durant reshaped their rivalry with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014–17 NBA seasons. Reflecting on this seismic shift, former Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue recalled how Durant’s arrival rendered the Warriors virtually unbeatable.

Lue shared his thoughts on The Draymond Green Show:

“We thought we figured y’all out… But when y’all got KD, it just made it— I mean, come on. You blitz Steph, and now you got Klay and KD on the weak side. You know, you’re short-rolling, you got Iguodala for the lob, and you got Klay and KD in the corners. It just became too hard… to match up offensively.”

Durant’s addition transformed an already formidable team into a juggernaut. Known for his scoring prowess, Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in his final OKC season. His defensive versatility also played a pivotal role in solidifying the Warriors’ dominance. Between 2017 and 2019, Golden State secured two NBA titles, with Durant earning Finals MVP honors both times.

The Warriors’ evolution left Lue grappling with the challenge of competing against such a loaded roster, solidifying their place as one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.