Bold claim: Skip Bayless says Kevin Durant ‘saved’ Steph Curry’s legacy twice, and he doubles down on it. Bayless has long been a polarizing figure for Dub Nation, especially with his Warriors takes over the years. His most provocative stance? Durant “saved” Curry’s legacy during Golden State’s back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018, led by two NBA MVPs.
During a live appearance on The Draymond Green Show on Friday, Curry’s longtime teammate gave Bayless a chance to soften or reaffirm that view. Unsurprisingly, Bayless chose the latter.
“I just believe that with just Steph, I don’t think you would have gotten past LeBron those two times that you did,” Bayless insisted.
He then recounted Durant’s move to the Warriors, right after Golden State erased a 3-1 deficit to beat Oklahoma City in the 2016 Western Conference Finals—the Durant-led Thunder series that set the stage for a dramatic pairing.
“And so he comes with the weight of the basketball world on his slender shoulders out to you guys,” Bayless said. “And it wasn’t the greatest sort of off-court fit, because it was a little clashy between him and Steph. Kevin wanted to be the man, and Steph’s the man. And he grew up in front of your fans, and your fans aren’t ever going to get their arms completely around Kevin because it’s Steph—it's his world. It’s his show. It’s him. And you guys grew up together.
Golden State Warriors
“And here came Kevin. Kevin just blew me away in those finals, because he was not afraid. And those two Game 3s in LeBron’s house, I’ve just never seen anything like that. Do you remember the shot that Kevin made right in LeBron’s grill? It was beautiful to watch, but it was shocking for me to watch because I wasn’t sure Kevin had that in him. And in back-to-back years, I just don’t think you would have gotten past LeBron when Kyrie was there the first time. I don’t think you would have.
“I mean, Steph’s still a little guy by basketball terms, and he can only do so much. I mean, he’s the greatest shooter. I don’t even need to say this, but it’s the most obvious statement anybody’s ever made. He’s the greatest shooter ever, but he can go cold, and he went cold. It’s just hard for me to get over the fact he went cold in all three of your fourth quarters after you got suspended in Games 5, 6 and 7 in the 2016 NBA Finals… He just wasn’t there for you. And I’m not condemning, because he’s all-time great obviously, but Kevin Durant is just a freak of nature, man. And if he’s right, if his mind is right, he just took those games over and now you had the nuclear weapon. And LeBron was just overmatched, man.
“So, yeah, he saves because Steph’s going to lose. I believe you guys are going to lose without him. That’s just me.”
In response, Green challenged Bayless on what the Warriors’ 2022 title—after Durant’s departure—means for Curry’s legacy.
“Well, it put it back on the map,” Bayless replied. “I mean, it was saving grace, and I think we all needed to see that he could do that then. He wasn’t great in those fourth quarters, but he was great for the whole series, and he was the reason you beat a young and upcoming Boston team with two stud young players.”
Green also pressed Bayless on whether Curry finally enters the top 20 all-time NBA players list; Bayless gave his take.
Regardless, Bayless likely isn’t earning many new fans among Dub Nation anytime soon.
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