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After the Toronto Raptors took a 3-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, it seemed likely there would be a new champion crowned sooner or later. Toronto was outplaying Golden State and appeared to simply outmatch them. Without question, Toronto had the deeper team.
But it seemed like it was just that. We'd get a new champion and could assess what that'd mean for the league going forward.
Then Kevin Durant got hurt after scoring 11 points in 12 minutes in Game 5. And Klay Thompson put up 30 in 32 minutes in Game 6 before he went down. Both injuries are significant -- torn Achilles for Durant; torn ACL for Thompson.
Now, suddenly, the Warriors' future seems darker than it has since this incredible run began. Many assumed they'd lose Durant to free agency, but if they could keep the Splash Brothers together, they could build and continue to contend.
The Warriors are likely to start the season without Durant or Thompson -- even if they were to re-sign them both -- due to injury, at least. And the Western Conference championship, just like that, is totally up for grabs.
