Draymond Green and the Warriors are headed to their fifth straight NBA Finals with their sweep over the Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals.
And yet, Green wasted no time after Golden State's 119-117 overtime win in Game 4 to remind everyone how important Kevin Durant is to this team.
"There's been so much talk about how, 'Oh, they're the Warriors. Before Kevin got there they were great.' Bulls---," Green said to ESPN's Nick Friedell. "We was damn good. I think we were a very good team who was tough to beat. I think when Kevin came here, he made us unbeatable. When DeMarcus [Cousins] came here, it made people scratch their head even more.
"And so we need those guys. The next series is going to be tough, and I hope and pray that we can get him back."
Durant last played in Game 5 of the conference semifinals before straining his right calf. The Warriors haven't lost since. In that time, Green and Steph Curry have dominated, each posting a triple-double to clinch the series against the Blazers, becoming the first duo to do so in a playoff game.
But Green knows the Warriors are better with Durant on the floor. KD has won back-to-back Finals MVPs and was averaging 34.2 points per game during this postseason before being injured.
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The Warriors don't play until the Finals begin on May 30, and Durant, Cousins and Andre Iguodala could all be back and ready to go for a three-peat.
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"Our goal is obviously to get all three of those guys back," Green said. "We know we're a good team with who we have, but those guys make us great and almost unbeatable.
"And we know we need [Durant]."
