In the annals of NBA history, the Golden State Warriors’ 2018 championship run stands as a masterpiece of dominance — but behind the highlights and stat sheets lies a story few outside the locker room knew. Former Warriors guard Quinn Cook has now lifted the curtain on what really happened that year, revealing how Kevin Durant’s brilliance derailed his own plan to help Stephen Curry finally claim a long-awaited NBA Finals MVP.
The Master Plan
According to Cook, Durant entered the 2017–18 season with one mission beyond winning another ring: make sure Curry got his Finals MVP. For years, critics had used Curry’s lack of the award as ammunition, questioning his place among the game’s all-time greats. Durant — fresh off his own Finals MVP in 2017 — wanted to change that narrative for his teammate.
“All season long, that’s all he talked about,” Cook recalled on The Player’s Choice podcast. “He wanted Steph to shut up the naysayers.”
The Moment Everything Changed
The Finals began according to script. In Game 2, Curry erupted for nine made three-pointers, setting an NBA Finals record. The momentum seemed to be swinging in his favor for MVP consideration. But then came Game 3.
The Warriors were in Cleveland, the Cavs clawing to stay alive. Curry struggled to find his shot, and with the game slipping, the team leaned on Durant. What happened next was basketball poetry — and a nightmare for the “Steph Finals MVP” campaign. Durant poured in 43 points, including a dagger three from way beyond the arc that silenced Quicken Loans Arena.
From there, the numbers told the story: KD followed up with a triple-double in Game 4, cementing his case for another Finals MVP without even trying. “He wasn’t as aggressive — that’s just how good he is,” Cook said. “He accidentally got it.”
Friendship, Legacy, and the “What If” Factor
Durant’s “accidental” repeat raises fascinating what-ifs. Had Curry maintained his Game 2 form, could history have looked different? Would the narrative surrounding Golden State’s dynasty be altered if Curry had snagged that elusive award in 2018 instead of waiting until 2022?
Some argue Durant’s dominance in crunch moments was simply too overwhelming, regardless of intention. Others point to the dynamics of a superteam — when two of the greatest scorers ever share the floor, awards are often decided by timing, not politics.
The Bigger Picture
This revelation adds another layer to the Warriors’ complex dynasty saga. Durant’s years in Golden State were marked by both unparalleled success and lingering debates about legacy. Curry finally claimed his Finals MVP in 2022, but the 2018 season remains a “sliding doors” moment — a reminder that even in the NBA, the best-laid plans can be upended by greatness itself.
Final Word
Durant didn’t steal the Finals MVP from Curry — he just couldn’t help being Kevin Durant. Sometimes, when you’re that good, history writes itself… even if it rewrites someone else’s story in the process.