Jalen Rose on why the Warriors won't win without Kevin Durant

The NBA Finals will begin with Game 1 on Thursday in Toronto, but Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant will not be on the floor as he continues to recover from a right calf strain suffered against the Clippers on May 8th. The Warriors announced Monday that Durant has been ruled out for Game 1, and may not travel with the team to Toronto.

The Warriors managed to sweep the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals without Durant in the lineup, and Golden State is still the betting favorite to win the series despite not having home-court advantage.

According to ESPN’s Jalen Rose, however, the Warriors won’t be able to overcome the Raptors without Durant.

“I think you don’t beat the Toronto Raptors without KD’s productivity up front. I saw what Draymond Green did against the Portland Trail Blazers – and he was outstanding. But who was he going against? Moe Harkless, [Zach] Collins, and [Meyers] Leonard, who actually balled against the Warriors. You know what nobody’s talking about? Meyers Leonard actually was killing the Golden State Warriors.

Now all of a sudden you have more physical bodies to give fouls and to frustrate Draymond up front. And I think along with Kawhi being able to roam at different points defensively, the Raptors with home-court advantage win this series if KD doesn’t perform.”