CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

On July 4, when Kevin Durant announced that he would be taking his talents to the Golden State Warriors, the team instantly became the clear favorites to win the 2017 NBA Championship. The reaction to Durant’s announcement from the majority of fans, commentators, and experts was that the Durant addition turned Golden State into an unstoppable force that would be too difficult for defending champion Cleveland to beat in a seven game series. They turned out to be right, as the Warriors beat the Cavs Monday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win their second championship in three years. The victory was the icing on what was perhaps the most dominant playoff run in NBA history, as Golden State finished the postseason with a 15-1 record.

While the Warriors winning the championship probably was not surprising to many, not everyone was on board with the narrative when Durant made his July announcement. Here’s a bunch of takes from people right after the announcement proclaiming that, even with the KD addition, the Warriors would NOT win the title in 2017…

“I’ll take my shot with James and this group in a seven-game series against anyone, including Golden State.”- Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, July 5, 2016 

About Fred Segal

Fred Segal, 35, grew up in the Miami, Florida area and currently lives in Coral Springs, Florida, with his wife and two children. He is currently an attorney practicing in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the law firm Broad and Cassel. Fred is a graduate of the University of Florida and is a rabid, borderline unhealthy, supporter of the Florida Gators.