In a candid moment that has set social media ablaze, Kevin Durant dropped a bombshell while answering fan questions on X, inadvertently taking a swipe at Stephen Curry’s loyal fanbase. When asked why Warriors fans harbor such animosity toward him, Durant’s response was as sharp as his pull-up jumper: “Them Finals MVPs, they will never recover.” The quip pointed directly at the lingering wound in the hearts of Curry’s most devoted supporters—a wound tied to the Finals MVP awards Durant claimed during their championship runs together.
The saga of Stephen Curry’s legacy has long been shadowed by a single, nagging critique: despite leading the Golden State Warriors to three NBA championships before 2022, Curry didn’t secure a Finals MVP until that year. In 2015, Andre Iguodala outshone him for the award. Then, in 2017 and 2018, it was Kevin Durant who walked away with the honors, leaving Curry empty-handed despite his brilliance. Durant’s recent comment suggests he believes this very fact—his two Finals MVPs over Curry—ignited a deep-seated resentment among Curry’s fans, sowing the seeds of discord that turned Warriors Nation against him.
Let’s rewind to the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals to see if Durant’s performance truly outclassed Curry’s, justifying those MVP nods. In 2017, Durant was a force of nature, averaging a staggering 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His efficiency was jaw-dropping: 55.6% from the field and 47.4% from three-point range. Curry, while spectacular, posted 26.8 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.0 rebounds, with a 44% field goal percentage and 38.8% from beyond the arc. Durant’s dominance was undeniable, his scoring prowess and clutch playmaking carrying the Warriors to victory.
The story repeated in 2018, as the Warriors swept the Cavaliers. Durant delivered 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, shooting 52.6% from the field and 40.9% from three. Curry, ever the maestro, averaged 27.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, with 40.2% field goal accuracy and 41.5% from deep. While Curry’s playmaking and gravity as a shooter warped defenses, Durant’s all-around brilliance—scoring, rebounding, and facilitating—gave him the edge in the eyes of voters.
The numbers paint a clear picture: Durant’s contributions in those Finals runs were monumental, arguably warranting his back-to-back MVP awards. Yet, for Curry’s fervent supporters, the absence of a Finals MVP on his resume during those championship years became a sticking point. Many unfairly pointed fingers at Durant, accusing him of “stealing” Curry’s spotlight. This narrative, however, oversimplifies a complex dynamic. Durant and Curry shared a mutual respect, their on-court chemistry fueling two titles. But off the court, the relentless MVP chants for Curry from Warriors fans—reported by NBA Insider Marc Spears—stung Durant, making him feel like an outsider in Golden State’s embrace.
Spears revealed that these chants, coupled with criticism from Curry’s loyalists, left Durant feeling unappreciated, even as he delivered championship heroics. This undercurrent of tension may have pushed Durant out of Golden State, culminating in his departure to the Brooklyn Nets and, eventually, his recent move to the Houston Rockets. The “what-ifs” are tantalizing: Could Durant have returned to the Warriors had the fanbase embraced him fully? Might the dynasty have continued its reign?
Durant’s X comment has reignited the debate, exposing a rift that still haunts Warriors fans. For some, it’s a reminder of Curry’s brilliance being overshadowed; for others, it’s a testament to Durant’s undeniable impact. One thing is certain: the “curse” of those Finals MVPs continues to cast a long shadow, stirring emotions and sparking endless speculation about what could have been.