Kevin Durant most undoubtedly needed to be traded this previous summer time.
KD had points with the path that the Brooklyn Nets had been heading, and was most definitely not glad with the teaching. That was the report in the course of the offseason, and he confirmed it to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
In an unique interview, Durant talked to Haynes concerning the turmoil surrounding the Nets and their tough begin to the 2021-22 season after getting trounced by the Sacramento Kings, 153-121, on nationwide tv.
“It wasn’t difficult at all to request a trade, because it was about ball,” Durant mentioned to Haynes.
In telling his facet of the story, Durant’s complaints sound like your common, on a regular basis, upset Jimmy Butler. He was sad with the quantity of Nets practices, and what they had been going over throughout these classes. Durant apparently loves closeout drills the best way most American staff love a free lunch, as a result of he talked about twice that the Nets wanted extra of these in follow.
It’s nearly Thanksgiving. The Nets are much more chaotic than they had been final season, and taking part in worse basketball. Ben Simmons is usually on the courtroom, typically not. And when he’s taking part in, he has been a worse participant than he was throughout his notorious meltdown within the 2021 playoffs whereas with the Philadelphia 76ers. Kyrie Irving determined to publish a hyperlink to an anti-Semetic movie simply days after Adidas dropped Kanye “Ye” West for repeatedly making these sorts of statements publicly. Irving is presently suspended indefinitely and the Nets are 6-9.
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However, Durant was adamant that he is fine with the current state of the Nets. He spoke positively of new head coach Jacque Vaughn, because I guess they’re both big fans of closeout drills at practice. Durant claimed that he enjoys having to navigate five defenders, because it’s making him a better player. While this season is currently aimed in the opposite direction of the postseason it’s all good, because he gets to impart his wisdom on these inexperienced, and according to him, mediocre NBA players.
“Look at our starting lineup. Edmond Sumner, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, [Nic] Claxton and me. It’s not disrespect, however what are you anticipating from that group?” Durant mentioned to Haynes. “You expect us to win because I’m out there. So if you’re watching from that lens, you’re expecting us to play well because No. 7 is out there.”
Last season, Durant felt just like the group was transferring within the unsuitable path and was dropping respect within the basketball world. With the Nets turning into much less and fewer centered, and taking part in “like shit,” He assumed that the blame was going to fall on him, and informed Haynes that’s the reason he requested the commerce.
One factor Durant most definitely clarified, is why Steve Nash acquired canned as Nets coach 13 days into the common season. When the information broke that Durant had requested a commerce, it was reported that he gave the Nets an ultimatum. Either hearth Nash and normal supervisor Sean Marks, or ship him out. Cooler heads prevailed when all sides realized that transferring the 34-year-old celebrity who had achilles tendon surgical procedure three years in the past can be extraordinarily tough. The Nets braintrust met with Durant at his dwelling in Los Angeles, and labored out a means for him to return.
Still, Durant insisted to the media that he was “shocked” when Nash was let go.
If the Nets had began the season on a five-game profitable streak, possibly it might have purchased Nash a while. Instead they misplaced 5 of their first seven video games.
As the vacation season approaches, apart from Nash, there isn’t a lot distinction with the Nets from final season. Simmons is on the roster as a substitute of James Harden, O’neal as a substitute of Bruce Brown, Irving isn’t allowed on the ground, and the group is a disappointment.
Let Durant inform it although, it’s all good. The Nets could also be a large number, however it is a mess that he can dwell with.