Hall of Famer Magic Johnson averaged 18.6 points, eight rebounds and 12.4 assists a game in the 1991 NBA Finals games versus the Chicago Bulls. During an interview with Bill Simmons on his podcast, Durant acknowledged that the series would have headed back to Oracle Arena for Game 7 had Cleveland taken Game 5 on Monday night.
A native of Seat Pleasant in Prince George's County, the small forward thanked "everybody" in the town, Prince George's, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
He scored 39 points in a fast-and-furious, Finals-clinching 129-120 victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Monday night.
But whether his hometown gratitude makes up for him not signing to the Washington Wizards is up for debate.
"It's just a great group of guys, great community, great arena, great fans", Durant said.
The Warriors claimed the title in 2015, before it changed hands to the Cavaliers previous year. "I thought we played well, got better each game, but against good teams you can't give away games", he said. "No", he added. "But like I've always told myself, if you put in the work and you leave it on the floor, then you can always push forward and not look backwards".
Just days after the Warriors bought home that championship, the questions started about whether those back problems - including migraines and and nausea that are result of surgery he had year ago - would keep Kerr from returning on a full time basis.
Top Republican wounded in US shooting
But before the people's business could get underway, they were hit with tragic news of Congressman Scalise being shot. Representative Jack Bergman, from Michigan's 1st Congressional District, was also at the field during the shooting .
"I just try to do everything to help this team win and more", James said. Nothing should distract from what we were able to accomplish together and the different kind of ceremonies that have happened around championship-winning teams. "Just with everything that's going on right now, I just don't agree with a lot of stuff that's happening".
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said the experience of losing last year's NBA Finals served them well this season. "We prevailed, we are champions and it was wonderful to do it on our own floor".
The highlight of this year's NBA Finals wasn't Steph Curry's free throws or Lebron James' dunks - it was Rihanna, who is arguably the highlight of every event she attends. "We learned from everything we've been through", Warriors point guard Stephen Curry said during the trophy celebration.
James hit a layup to open the fourth quarter and pull Cleveland within 98-95, as close as the Cavs had been in the second half after trailing by 17 in the first half.
Golden State Warriors in numbersWhat's next for LeBron James? "Still feel like that today", Curry said.
"They assembled a great team".
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