The Reaper Emerges: Durant’s Finals Dominance

The 2017 Finals was where Durant’s "Reaper" nickname truly lit up. Against Cleveland he averaged 35+ on high shooting, unguardable one-on-one or doubled.

In Game 3, with the game tight, Durant rose over LeBron’s contest on the right wing and calmly buried a long three, all but killing the series. That shot became the footnote of "the Reaper descends"—on the biggest stage, vs. the best defender, still composed.

That year Durant was not just "efficient scorer" but the Warriors’ coldest, most crucial finisher. His chemistry with Curry, Thompson and Green made their offense multi-dimensional and unsolvable.

Some players speak with stats; Durant spoke with a title. 2017 was the Reaper’s coronation.

Related Reading

• 2018 NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
• Kevin Durant: Most Valuable and Legacy— One MVP, and a Coordinate of an Era
• Kevin Durant: Hard Work and Role Model— From a Fragile Boy to the "Reaper"
• 2017 NBA Finals MVP: Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
• The Birth of a Juggernaut: A Deep Dive Into the 2017 Championship