NBA Finals: Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry Shine, Warriors Take Game 1
Jun 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) reacts with forward Kevin Durant (35) after a three point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals was no contest as Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors dominate the Cavs. 

The NBA Finals was the last chance for fans to enjoy competitive basketball, but the satiating of that hunger will be delayed after the Warriors routed the Cavs 113-91 to take a 1-0 lead.

Consumers of this product welcomed all the storylines in preparation for the trilogy between the two best teams in the NBA over the last three seasons. One involved Kevin Durant, who was heralded as the one with all the pressure to win it.

Losing this series and amounting it to “just the first step of a process that will end successfully years down the line” wasn’t afforded to him. You can’t leave OKC, join a team that beat you last year and finish the year with anything less than a title.

But Durant quickly extinguished the “the Warriors are going to carry him to a cheap ring” narrative with a monstrous game. He finished with 38 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists on 14-26 from the field.

It’s his second trip to the NBA Finals. Back when his Thunder lost to LeBron James‘ Heat in 2012, Durant averaged 30-6 on better than 50 percent. But the series ended with him leaving the floor in tears.

Stephen Curry was another one disrespected by the masses, being labeled a choker in the Finals. Of course, the selective amnesia causes one to forget he averaged 26/6/5 and nearly two blockers per game in 2015 when the Warriors beat the Cavs in six. In Game 1, he served as the Robin to KD’s Batman with 28 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

In what wasn’t a great game for him, James finished with 28/15/8 but had eight turnovers and was a minus-22. Kyrie Irving fell into the isolation trap a bit to much in this game, but did total 24 points.

It’s not yet time to overreact or coronate the dubs as champs, that would premature. There will be social media reminders that they led 2-0 last year after consecutive blowout wins before becoming the first team in NBA history to forfeit a 3-1 lead in the Finals.

But there are two critical differences that will make it tougher for the Cavs to do it all over again. Draymond Green isn’t getting suspended again and KD won’t crumble so precipitously to the point where he becomes the spitting image of Harrison Barnes.

The Warriors are now 13-0 and just three wins stand between them and basketball immortality. 11 of the 13 have been by double digits and they came into the game win an average differential of 16.3 (the largest in NBA history). Game 2 is set for Sunday night in Oakland.

Content provider, producer and on air talent at ESPN Radio in Syracuse (@ESPNSyracuse). Disc Jockey for @TKClassicRock. Play by play announcer. Live and breathe sports - for better or for worse. Aspirations are that of becoming the greatest.