"Kevin Durant will sit out the Western Conference Finals to save himself for a potential NBA Finals matchup against the Bucks." — PFT Commenter

Take Slip·May 10, 2019

#621#PMT-2019-0510-621

Kevin Durant will sit out the Western Conference Finals to save himself for a potential NBA Finals matchup against the Bucks.

In which case, I think [Kevin Durant] would probably sit out and save himself for the finals against the Bucks. Something to be on the lookout for.

Prediction Basketball Medium

KD did sit out the WCF, but he returned briefly in Game 5 of the Finals (against the Raptors, not Bucks) where he tore his Achilles.

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Win

Take Slip·May 10, 2019

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Big Cat

The Warriors winning the Rockets series without Kevin Durant will be viewed as an indictment of Kevin Durant's impact.

If the Warriors win this series, it will be an indictment on Kevin Durant by everyone else. Are the Warriors better without Kevin Durant? People are going to ask that. I'm already asking it.

Prediction Basketball Hot

The Warriors did win the series and sweep the WCF without KD, sparking massive debate, though they ultimately lost the Finals when he was absent/injured.

Win

Take Slip·May 10, 2019

#622#PMT-2019-0510-622

Big Cat

James Harden has consistently disappeared in the fourth quarters of the 2019 Rockets-Warriors series.

James Harden on Wednesday night with 10:47 left, he hits a bucket. He shot one more shot until there's 18 seconds left in the game... The Rockets win game four, James Harden scores 38 points... [but] he scores three points after that, the Warriors come all the way back. That's two straight fourth quarters where James Harden, Jimmy Harden has kind of been nowhere to be seen.

Opinion Basketball Medium

Harden's scoring did drop off significantly in late-game situations during several games in this series, notably Games 5 and 6 as well.

Win

Take Slip·May 10, 2019

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Hank

The Celtics should not re-sign Kyrie Irving and instead let the asset walk.

I feel like I don't care what's going on with the team during the year. Lose that asset. It's all about the assets... for [Kyrie Irving] to do what he did in the playoffs it's like Brad Stevens' problem.

Opinion Basketball Hot

The Celtics did let Kyrie walk in the 2019 offseason, and many fans agreed with this stance given the team's chemistry issues.