Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant's Origin of Dominance

The NBA universe vividly remembers the Kevin Durant-era Golden State Warriors as a sheer juggernaut. However, the Stephen Curry and Durant duo didn't initially have the basketball chemistry necessary to dominate the NBA. According to former Warriors guard Shaun Livingston, Curry and Durant endured a small rough patch regarding basketball touches.

Dwyane Wade was the primary option when LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined the Miami Heat. However, the core took time before coming together as a dominant force. The Heat started 9-8 for the 2010-11 season. What was Curry and Durant's initial "issue" as a superstar duo?

“So he took a step back and had to make the biggest adjustment, and I think that’s what KD was looking at, is Steph going to take that step back,” said Livingston. “I’ve never seen someone score so efficiently as KD, like 30 on 12 shots. So when he came it wasn’t really an adjustment for him because he could get his in the flow like no one else I’ve ever seen.”

Durant achieved success with Russell Westbrook as his point guard, who was notorious for pounding the ball into the ground. Durant's seamless fit with nearly any system speaks volumes about why he's a great player. However, after playing 526 games with Westbrook, Durant had yet to experience an elite offensive scheme as the Warriors.

Livingston revealed the moment when the two superstars clicked.

“Steph, his was a little bit more volume, he needed a little bit more rhythm," said Livingston. "Then after that Christmas game, there was internal conversation among them two, which it had to be. Like look, I need you to be Steph Curry , and then once Steph was like alright, KD’s good, he’s good with us, it was like unstoppable from there.”

Related: Team USA Legend Crowns Stephen Curry

Following the Christmas Day game in 2016, the Warriors would rule the NBA, winning two NBA Finals series in three appearances. Although Durant eventually left for the Brooklyn Nets, it's safe to say Curry still shares a connection with the two-time NBA Finals MVP in light of their emotional embrace during the Paris Olympics.