Kevin Durant, asked if he had a message for Rihanna as he left Oracle Arena late Monday night after his Golden State Warriors were crowned National Basketball Association champions, held aloft his Finals MVP trophy and stared at a video camera.
The Warriors assistant coach earned himself a ring Monday night when Golden State dispatched the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Not to mention he got a quick jab at his critics with a well-timed Nike commercial shorty after the confetti fell in Oracle Arena. While it was a huge win for the Warriors - it's the franchise's fifth championship win and second since 1975 - it was arguably an even more meaningful win for Nike athlete and Finals MVP Kevin Durant. Lebron is the first player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals.
It's been three Finals appearances and two championships for the Golden State Warriors since 2015.
The Cavs have the second highest odds to win next year's championship, at 3-1 at the SuperBook.
But in the end, the 32-year old couldn't corral back-to-back championships.
Despite going up against LeBron James in each of their last three postseason runs, Golden State has come out on top twice under head coach Steve Kerr.
Celtics, Sixers complete trade for top pick
With Thomas, though, the Celtics didn't necessarily need a point guard - which is the piece Philadelphia apparently wanted most. However, 76ers president Bryan Colangelo is unapologetic about being in position to draft the player he covets.
The Warriors would have made the NBA Finals this season without the services of Durant.
These are the first Finals where four players averaged scoring 25 points per game.
The Golden State Warriors are on the cusp of a dynastic situation.
The first-time title victor scored 39 points as point guard Stephen Curry posted 34 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. I thought we played well, got better each game, but against good teams you can't give away games like Game 3 at home and then expect to come here and win in a hostile environment.
Durant, the MVP of the Finals, had 39 points, and Curry added 34 for the Warriors, who captured the best-of-seven series 4-1 against the defending champions.
The Warriors said in a statement that they've yet to receive the customary invitation to the White House for their big win, and they will make those decisions "when and if necessary".
"I knew it was going to be a battle I just tried to challenge him - you can't stop the guy".
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