The Golden State Warriors’ 2018-19 season was meant to be their crowning glory, a superteam poised for greatness. Instead, it devolved into a nightmare of injuries and missed chances. Five years later, DeMarcus Cousins, a central figure in this ill-fated squad, reflects on the aftermath of the Warriors’ 2019 collapse.
DeMarcus Cousins Reveals the Real Reason Behind the Warriors’ 2019 Collapse
On a recent episode of The Knuckleheads podcast, Cousins opened up about the team’s lofty expectations and the crushing reality that followed. The Warriors, he said, entered the Finals with the arrogance of champions. But as Cousins candidly notes, no player is immune to the injury gods, and their wrath proved catastrophic.
“It was a rough ride,” Cousins reflected. “We had all this hype, and everyone thought we were unbeatable. The pressure was immense, and we were sure we’d win. But then, bam, the injury curse struck. No one can escape it.”
Cousins’ frustration is palpable. He wonders how different the basketball landscape might have been if the Warriors had achieved their anticipated glory. “It’s frustrating how it ended, especially with KD [Kevin Durant] leaving that year. I keep thinking, what if we’d won? How would the league have evolved? What ifs are haunting me.”
The impact of the injury plague was devastating. Durant, one of the key pillars of the team, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon—a setback so severe that it threatened his entire career. Durant’s harrowing experience was vividly captured in his own words on The Boardroom:
“I heard a pop and thought, ‘This is it.’ My entire career flashed before me. Every moment, every triumph, every failure—it all came crashing down. That’s why I was just staring into the crowd, waiting for someone to come help me.”
Despite the bleak outlook, Durant’s return has been nothing short of miraculous. He defied the odds, making a stunning comeback that few athletes could have managed. While he may still mourn the lost chance at a three-peat, his successful return is a testament to his resilience and determination.
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