Golden State Warriors: 3 reasons they’re more fun without Kevin Durant

3. Back to business for the Splash Bros.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson without a doubt revolutionized this era of basketball. When the norm had been succumbing to cringeworthy, off-balance, mid-range jumpers, Curry — shortly followed by Thompson — revitalized the run-and-gun, pick-and-pop style of ball that many fans new and old have come to love. That same style rewarded them the NBA championship in the 2014-15 season prior to Durant’s decision to make them an unfathomable force.

The trio of stars in Durant, Thompson and Curry has been able to seamlessly jell on the court, effectively sharing the ball and putting up decent numbers. However, it’s easy to say it’s been Durant’s night many games more than not. Curry and Thompson both have had their days when they can individually (or both) give a show to Oracle Arena and remind everyone just why they are arguably the NBA’s most deadliest backcourt pairing in history.

With Durant elsewhere, this pair could return back to their regularly scheduled programming of moving the ball and bombarding 3s that left teams dumbfounded on how to respond defensively, often resulting in 30-40 point nights from both individuals.

A look at the conference finals alone provides a reminder of what to expect when KD is sidelined. Curry averaged a cool 36.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game on 42.6 percent shooting from 3, while Klay posted 21.5 points per game. Draymond Green saw as large of a boost as anyone, averaging 16.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 2.8 blocks and 2.3 steals per game, arguably hurting the Portland Trail Blazers as much as anyone.

If Kevin Durant leaves, the Dubs’ original Big 3 may get back to the style of basketball that made them a budding dynasty in the first place.