NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas offered intriguing insights into the Golden State Warriors dynasty and the transformative impact of Kevin Durant’s arrival on the team during an appearance on Draymond Green’s podcast.

Thomas boldly asserted that prior to Durant joining the Warriors in 2016, the team was on the brink of being remembered solely for their historic regular-season performance, culminating in a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals despite holding a 3-1 series lead.

“Let me make a bold statement here and I hope this doesn’t upset you,” Thomas said. “Before Kevin Durant arrived in Golden State, y’all were on the verge of pshh [going down] and being remembered as the team that went 73-9 and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.”

In Thomas’ view, Durant’s decision to sign with Golden State not only altered the trajectory of the team but also salvaged their legacy. By guiding the Warriors to back-to-back NBA championships, Durant effectively solidified their place in basketball history, overshadowing the narrative of their Finals collapse and transforming their collective legacies.

“You were up 3-1 and probably one of the biggest collapses in NBA Finals history,” Thomas told Green.

“Kevin Durant comes that summer and really saves your basketball legacy; you win two championships after that. The Golden State Warriors dynasty that you’re going to go in the Hall of Fame for, everything else, it is cemented because if Durant doesn’t come that summer and you guys are remembered as the 73-9 team, all of your legacies are different.”

The addition of Durant elevated the Warriors to unprecedented dominance in the league, leading to consecutive championships and cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Although injuries ultimately hampered their quest for a third consecutive title, Durant’s tenure with the Warriors left an indelible mark on the franchise.

Thomas, a legendary figure in NBA history renowned for his contributions to the Detroit Pistons’ championship successes, brings a unique perspective to his analysis of the Warriors’ dynasty. As an esteemed analyst for NBA TV and a revered figure within the basketball community, Thomas’ insights shed light on the profound impact of Durant’s arrival on the Warriors’ storied legacy.