Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

KD fondly recalls Nets' big 3 despite 'dysfunction'

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 17:57

NEW YORK -- Kevin Durant is proud of what he believed the Nets were building in Brooklyn before "dysfunction" brought it quickly crashing down.

Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden played just 16 games together and their tenure became better known for the chaos off the court than the brilliant basketball they delivered on it.

But it seemed the bad times were forgotten Wednesday night, when a large number of fans rushed to get Durant's autograph before the Nets' game against the Phoenix Suns in his second trip back to Barclays Center since being traded.

"Even though we went through a lot of dysfunction, I guess you could call it, for lack of a better term," Durant said, "but regardless of that, a lot of people in those stands still supported, still came out and cheered loud as hell for the game of basketball and for the Nets, so that's what stood out the most."

He and Irving came together in the summer of 2019. Harden was acquired in a trade in January 2021. But all three battled injuries and Irving was largely off the court in the 2021-22 season after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19,

"I think that was the main thing, that we just didn't get on the court together," Durant said. "A lot of injuries. Injuries to me, James and Kyrie kind of played a factor, along with COVID. That whole thing just confused a lot of [stuff]. But I think basketball-wise, chemistry-wise, camaraderie-wise, teamwork-wise, I thought it was the perfect, ideal situation."

The Nets looked like a title favorite when the three were healthy in the 2020-21 season. But both Harden and Irving were injured in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals and Milwaukee overcame a 2-0 deficit and Durant's brilliance in Game 7 to win the series.

Irving's absences and Durant's injury sent the Nets tumbling the next season and Harden asked to be traded. Irving and Durant were dealt away days apart at the 2023 trade deadline. Durant maintains it was bad luck more than bad attitudes that created such an empty era.

"There was a lot of narratives going around about each individual player -- me, James and Kyrie -- about our mentality as men. But once we got on the court and once we actually played together, once you seen the culture that we were building, it was something that the fans could get behind I think," Durant said.

"That first year when James got here halfway through the season, that was some of the most incredible basketball that I've seen, I've played in. But more so than anything, the locker room, the bus rides, the plane rides, the hotels, that was the culture we were building and a lot of people didn't get to see it but I wish they could have. It was special."

This season isn't, with the Nets rebuilding. Maybe they can eventually get to where Durant believed they were once headed.

"It didn't culminate into a championship, but people who had season tickets, who get into their car in the cold, come down and watch us play, still remember some moments, some regular-season games, a couple playoff games," Durant said. "Some moments that people can hold onto and you can feel that love when I come through here."

Read 81 times

Soccer

Pride open season with 6-0 rout; Rodman returns

Pride open season with 6-0 rout; Rodman returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe reigning champion Orlando Pride opened the National Women's Soc...

Liverpool capt Van Dijk eyes place among greats

Liverpool capt Van Dijk eyes place among greats

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool's Virgil van Dijk has said winning a second Carabao Cup t...

Neymar ruled out of Brazil return, Endrick in

Neymar ruled out of Brazil return, Endrick in

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNeymar's return to action for Brazil will be delayed yet longer aft...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes

Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAll six of the Chicago Bulls' championship banners were pulled from...

Doncic (calf) sits out Lakers' loss to Nuggets

Doncic (calf) sits out Lakers' loss to Nuggets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- Luka Doncic did not play in the conclusion of the Los Ang...

Baseball

MLB award winners' gold logos to become cards

MLB award winners' gold logos to become cards

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsExpanding on the success of the MLB Debut Patch, Topps, MLB and Nik...

Dodgers' Betts to miss Japan games with illness

Dodgers' Betts to miss Japan games with illness

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTOKYO -- Shortstop Mookie Betts will miss the Los Angeles Dodgers'...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated