NBA All Star Kevin Durant most probably tore his Achilles in last night’s finals game. Which sucks. For more than one reason though. First off it sucks because we won’t get to see one of the best basketball players in the world compete for the title of best team in his sport. The NBA is just a less fun league when it’s stars are hurt. That’s common sense.
The second reason this injury is so consequential though is that it may have just changed the NBA’s landscape for the next ten years. What if KD leaves the Warriors? What if he does go back east? Though the more pressing question is what if he’s not the same guy when he comes back from injury? What if he’s not one of the top three players in the league anymore? Who fills the role?
KD provided a necessary bad guy in the NBA. Every good entertainment product needs a heel and KD was a great one, mainly because he was also so good at his job. Who steps in to fill that role? I would suggest Kawhi Leonard. Another guy who won’t hesitate to leave Toronto, even if they do win a championship, and who is an absolute stone cold killer.
People will view Kawhi leaving as quitting on his team and a snake move. He will become the new Kevin Durant. The new necessary evil for the NBA to continue to be the powerhouse sport it is. That doesn’t make this injury any easier to deal with though. This is potentially the greatest NBA player we’ve seen since Jordan potentially having his career derailed in the middle of his prime.
This moment is a turning point. A crucial moment in the NBA that has now affected the entire leagues’ outlook for the next five years and now shrouds the offseason in even more mystery. This is the most impactful injury ever in the history of sports I can recall. It’s a sad, unforgiving story of a Warrior down that could change the course of the sport forever.