Kevin Durant was the difference maker for the Golden State Warriors on Monday and the superstar was praised by head coach Steve Kerr.
The 29-year-old tallied 37 points to lead Golden State to a 119-106 win over the Houston Rockets in game one of the Western Conference finals.
Durant scored from all over the floor. He knocked down three three-pointers, connected on contested fadeaway jumpers and attacked the basket on drives as well as post-ups.
"Kevin is the ultimate luxury," Kerr told a news conference. "A play can break down and you just throw him the ball. He can get you a bucket as well as anybody on earth."
Kerr said the Warriors wanted to acquire Durant after they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals because of his ability to take over a game offensively.
"You think about a couple of years ago, in the finals, we couldn't quite get over the hump," Kerr said. "Kevin is a guy that puts you over the hump. I don't know what you do to guard him. He can get any shot he wants."
The Warriors and Rockets will play game two of their Western Conference finals series on Wednesday.
