BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during a game against the LA Clippers on February 2, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were the sole reasons behind Brooklyn Nets in the 2022-23 season. Ever since coach Jacque Vaughn has taken charge of this team, both Durant and Irving have brilliantly adapted to their roles. This is just why when Durant was ruled out due to an MCL sprain this season as well, many expected the Nets to fall like last season.
To bring everyone on the same page – The Brooklyn Nets fell from the playoff berths to the Play-In Tournaments berth last season due to their 10+ losing streak which came in Kevin Durant’s absence only.
This is just when Kyrie Irving is fighting hard solely to keep his Net in the playoffs hunt despite Durant’s injury, he needs to be vocal about his leadership on as well as off the court for a completely uplifted Nets side.
After dropping an exceptional 38-point performance against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday and leading his team to victory, Irving said in the post-conference, ““I told you guys that I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to be the first option or the second option or the main one. This is just a message for everybody at home: first option, the second option, third option, they don’t fu***ng matter to me.
“It doesn’t matter who has the ball in their hands as long as they’re being aggressive, and it’s the best shot for our team. The objective of this team sport is to win basketball games; not identify one person to carry everybody every single night. Some nights it’s gonna occur like that or seems like that. For me, it’s the team attitude, team atmosphere, and living the results with us playing together and collectively.”
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