A great many eyeballs were on the 2017 NBA Finals this year, as LeBron James had the chance to officially surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time. The debate over which man is better would have and could have been over.

The games between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers led to seemingly endless memes on social media regarding James’ lost opportunity — and the incredible victory on Monday night after five games by the Golden State Warriors. Despite the Cavaliers’ loss, it was a memorable series, with individuals from both teams stunning viewers with their performances.

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Here are five key takeaways from the final games of the NBA season:

1.) Kevin Durant is a truly great player. In 2013, Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder made it to the finals and lost them to LeBron. In 2014, the loss of James Harden and the injury of Russell Westbrook proved fatal before Durant could reach the finals. In 2015, he was out of the playoffs with an ankle injury. In 2016 he was one win away from beating the Warriors and going to the finals to play the Cavaliers.

Then he made the move that shifted the balance of power in the NBA. He joined the 73-win team that had barely scraped by him in the Western Conference finals.

This year, he and the Golden State Warriors steamrolled to the finals and breezed past LeBron and the Cavaliers to give Durant his first championship. He averaged 35-plus points per game and shot 55 percent, enough for him to be awarded the Finals MVP. His scoring efficiency can be attributed to his 6-foot build, his long arms, and his great sharpshooting. His shot is impossible to block because of how high his release is, and he is as athletic as most guards despite his height. This makes him a true NBA great. (go to page 2 to continue reading)[lz_pagination]