
Kevin Durant recently opened up about his time with the Brooklyn Nets after his Phoenix Suns defeated the team 108-84 on Wednesday night. Durant, who spent part of his career with Brooklyn, shared his thoughts on the challenges and highs of his experience in New York.
Durant admitted to feeling nervous when he first joined the Nets, unsure of how his move to New York would unfold. “I didn’t know how it would feel moving, living, and playing basketball in NY. I was a little nervous to be honest,” Durant confessed postgame, per Michael Scotto.
However, once he settled in, Durant found joy in playing basketball in one of the NBA’s most competitive environments. “Once I got settled in and figured out my routine here, it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time playing ball,” he added.
Reflecting on the trio of himself, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, Durant believes injuries and external factors prevented the team from winning a championship. “Injuries. Covid. Us not getting on the court. I think those two were the biggest factors,” Durant explained.
He dismissed critiques about personalities not meshing, highlighting that when the three were able to play together, their on-court chemistry was undeniable. “Once we got on the court and we actually played together… it was something the fans could get behind,” Durant noted, recalling the team’s strong play during Harden’s debut season. However, injuries to all three stars, combined with the impact of Covid, derailed their championship hopes.
Despite the Nets’ struggles during his tenure, Durant expressed optimism for the team’s future. “I want to see this franchise do well,” he said. Brooklyn currently has several draft picks, and Durant sees them building a strong foundation for the future. “When you look at the big picture, you’ve got young guys getting experience, you’re building assets and getting future picks,” he said. Durant believes the Nets are moving in the right direction and hopes they can continue to develop into a contender.
On the court, Durant continued to showcase his scoring ability, adding 24 points in Phoenix’s win over his former team. Devin Booker also put on a spectacular performance, scoring 32 points, marking his 200th career 30-point game.
Despite missing Bradley Beal, the Suns were dominant, shooting 47.7% from the field and holding Brooklyn to just 37.4% shooting. Phoenix extended its win streak to move above .500 with a 22-21 record.
The Nets, already missing key players like Cam Johnson, D’Angelo Russell, and Ben Simmons, were outmatched in the game. Keon Johnson led Brooklyn with 20 points, while Jalen Wilson added 15. However, the loss marked the Nets’ fifth straight defeat, extending their home losing streak to nine games.