Warriors' Claim That They're Struggling Without Kevin Durant is Sad Attempt to Convince Him to Stay

The Golden State Warriors just completed a four-game sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers. They're on their way to their fifth consecutive NBA Finals with a shot at winning their fourth title in five years. And they did it without Kevin Durant.

They're also claiming that they've struggled to stay above water without the lanky superstar on the court-- which is surely nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to convince him to re-sign this summer when he hits free agency.

"When you’re missing Kevin Durant," said Warrios head coach Steve Kerr, "You can’t replace Kevin with one guy. You have to replace him with three or four night after night.”

Their Western Conference Finals sweep seems to suggest that, contrary to Kerr's assertions, the team is getting along just fine without him. Steph Curry is putting up arguably his best postseason numbers ever, and we also happen to be talking about a team that won an NBA record 73 regular season games back when Durant still played in Oklahoma City. Things aren't nearly as dire as Kerr and Co. are attempting to suggest.

Let's be real, guys.

You can't blame the Dubs for doing everything in their power to appease KD's ego, however. That's one of the only ways to appeal to him, and honestly, who wouldn't want the luxury of having two of the best players in the NBA playing side-by-side?

Don't be fooled. The Warriors' ability to win games or roll through a playoff series doesn't strictly depend on Kevin Durant. They just don't want him to leave. That's all there is to it.