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After hiring a new coach following the Kyrie Irving antisemitic controversy, Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn Nets have a surprising record
As the Brooklyn Nets suspended teammate Kyrie Irving for his recent incident concerning the antisemitic post, the former NBA MVP Kevin Durant lashed out at his own franchise. After that event, Kevin Durant released a statement following Friday night’s 118-100 victory over the Bucks in which he praised the effect that head coach Jacque Vaughn has had on the club since being elevated to his present position.
Following the team’s 2-5 start under Steve Nash, the longtime Nets assistant was named interim coach. Shortly after, he was named the team’s permanent coach. Now 47 years old, he has helped turn around a season that appeared doomed just a short time ago.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who had Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the box, were a big Milwaukee team, and the Nets demonstrated on Friday that they had been paying attention to Vaughn’s advice. Brooklyn outrebounded Milwaukee 45 to 45 and only surrendered one more offensive rebound than they personally snatched up (13 to 12).
Kyrie Irving, who acknowledged after the game that he was rated second-to-last on the box-out metrics provided by Vaughn, was crucial to that effort on the boards. The Nets’ offensive ability was never in question, but under Vaughn, who has had strong backing from the team, their defense has improved significantly.
Both Irving and Durant have lauded the coach for his practise of initiating brief timeouts when the team exhibits bad defensive play. With the victory on Friday night, the Nets have closed the gap to the Celtics in first place in the Eastern Conference to just two games. If they defeat Cleveland on Monday, they may be able to overtake the Cavaliers in third place.
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