Golden State Warriors: 5 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Kevin Durant outplaying LeBron James

Early on, it looked like James was going to steal this game for the Cavs. After a lackadaisical defensive effort in Game 1, James returned to his role as a help-defense rover. His increased energy helped turn the Warriors over, and he was a monster in transition. He upped his halfcourt aggression as well, blowing through multiple layers of defenders and setting up teammates.

He entered halftime with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 10 assists, two steals and only three turnovers. Cleveland was down just three points (67-64), and he was a +6.

He couldn’t repeat the performance in the second half. By the end, he had not only fallen short of stealing the game, but been outplayed overall by Durant for the second straight outing.

The comparison is unfair. James has been to seven straight finals, and almost singlehandedly carried his team to the last four. Durant is younger, with less miles, and carried far less of a load this season.

None of that changes the fact that Durant is outplaying James.

He may have had the best defensive game of his career. He blocked five shots in just about every way imaginable—at the rim, against iso post-ups, as a help defender, on the drive and on a jumper—and added three steals and 13 boards. With Green in foul trouble all night, Durant took it upon himself to lead the defense. He also scored a game-high 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting.

James has excuses. His teammates are worse and his body is more worn down. Curry also had excuses in the 2016 NBA Finals, but it didn’t change the fact that Kyrie Irving outplayed him. Durant is doing the same to James this year.