2019 NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors preview
By Ananth Para
Key Question No.1: Just how healthy are Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins?
It’s a shame that both teams are not going into the Finals with fully healthy squads. The Warriors are missing one of the greatest scorers in NBA history in Kevin Durant and one of the 20 most talented centers of all time in DeMarcus Cousins, not to mention Andre Iguodala‘s suspect thigh injury. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors are missing, well, OG Anunoby.
It’s safe to say one team is missing quite a bit more than the other, but that’s the harsh reality of professional sports.
Both Durant and Boogie are on track to return at some point in the NBA Finals, with the latter possibly being ready for Game 1.
But one has to ask, how healthy are they?
Kevin Durant has missed five games and some change, but with him confirming that this is the worst calf injury he has suffered, it’s hard not to worry about how comfortable he’ll feel returning to his heavy workload, being Golden State’s go-to isolation player and focal point of the offense.
Luckily, Steph Curry has been the hottest player in the league since KD’s injury and would have no qualms about re-emerging as the No. 1 option if KD isn’t ready for Game 2 and beyond.
DeMarcus Cousins provides even more uncertainty.
With his first round exit due to his leg injury, Boogie has yet to really feel the physical strain of NBA playoff basketball, let alone Finals-level physicality in his career.
He’ll also be going up against a frontcourt consisting of Marc Gasol (a former Defensive Player of the Year), Serge Ibaka (a two-time league leader in blocks and former DPOY candidate), Kawhi Leonard (a former DPOY) and Pascal Siakam (All-NBA in defensive versatility).
That’s a far cry away from Brook Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova and Nikola Mirotic.
If KD and Boogie return to less than 80 percent of their regular selves, the Toronto Raptors could take the defending champs into deep waters.