Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for Kevin Durant in 2017-18

1. Assert “best player in the world” status

If there is a rivalry between Durant and Curry, it is a subtle, recent, at least friendly one. None of those terms describe his on-court relationship with LeBron James.

During Durant’s third NBA season, people began referring to him as the league’s second-best player, or 1B to James’ 1A. Durant has never tried to hide his desire to dethrone the King, and many believe this was one of his central motivations in joining the Warriors.

He did about all he could in 2016-17 to move towards that goal. Durant evened his Finals record at 1-1, which also means — as it would for just about about any Western Conference player under 30 — that he evened his record against James. He did so in dominant fashion, averaging 35.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game with a stupid true shooting percentage of 69.8.

However, James averaged a triple-double in the Finals, and his Cavs nearly played the Warriors even when he was on the court. As great as Durant was, the leading narrative is that the best team beat the best player.

Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)

Can Durant to change minds in 2017-18? A James decline is possible, but not what Durant wants (someday, my grandson will be better than James at basketball, too). Assuming James is still himself, Durant will have to up his efficiency and scoring average, make an All-Defensive team and win a second MVP — along with winning another title, of course — to become the consensus best player on the planet.