The nice famous person experiment in Brooklyn is over.
And in the event you hearken to Kyrie Irving the breakup of the Nets was within the works “after Year 1.”
James Harden was the primary to go. Then Irving (who was dealt to the Mavericks two days after asking for a commerce). And now the gorgeous in a single day commerce that can ship Kevin Durant to the Suns.
“I’m glad he got out of there,” Irving stated of Durant after making his debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night time. “This was in the works after Year 1.”
Irving and Durant joined the Nets in June 2019 after which Harden joined the franchise in January 2021 with the expectation that the trio would create the NBA’s latest superteam and produce a championship — or championships — to Brooklyn.
The superteam by no means materialized because the Nets received only one playoff collection.
“I was unsure about whether or not I wanted to be in Brooklyn again because of things that were happening behind the scenes,” Irving stated after scoring 24 factors within the Mavs’ 110-104 win over the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday night time.
“I did my finest to place my head down and work as onerous as I might. There have been some unlucky circumstances that have been out of my management, whether or not or not it’s the mandate with the vaccine or lacking video games being suspended.
“Just little things that I think put wrenches in our journey. And we had James and we were supposed to be a super team. I would like to say something about the super team of me, James and KD that everyone thinks should have worked. We played very limited time together. There were a lot of injuries and things that took place, and I would have liked to see that work in the long term but there are no mistakes, no coincidences, and we’ve got to move forward.”
In the top, Irving and Durant performed simply 88 video games collectively (54-34). And the Big 3 performed simply 16 video games collectively earlier than Harden pressured his means out in February 2022 in a transfer that landed him in Philadelphia.
The package deal returning to the Nets within the reported Durant deal is Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and 4 first-round picks, in addition to further second-round draft decide compensation. The NBA commerce deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.
“I’m just praying for his happiness and praying for his well-being,” Irving continued.
“We had numerous conversations all year long about what our futures have been gonna appear like. There was nonetheless a stage of uncertainty, however we simply cared about seeing one another be locations the place we are able to thrive, and whether or not that be collectively, whether or not that be aside, there’s by no means been one second the place I felt like he’s been indignant at me for the selections I’ve made, or I’ve been indignant at him.
“We just tried to understand each other a lot better and grow as human beings, grow as brothers.”
Durant, the two-time NBA champ and 13-time All-Star, has needed out for a while. He requested for a commerce in June earlier than finally backing off in August.
“We have agreed to move forward with our partnership,” Nets GM Sean Marks stated on the time. “We are focusing on basketball with one collective goal in mind: build a lasting franchise to bring a championship to Brooklyn.”
Ultimately, Irving created extra complications than victories for the Nets. He performed in simply 143 of a doable 288 regular-season video games with the Nets. He refused to get vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, was absent for 2 weeks after the Jan. 6 Capitol revolt and served an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the workforce after posting an antisemitic movie on his social media channels.
In his introductory press convention in Dallas on Tuesday, Irving stated he felt disrespected in Brooklyn.
“I just know I want to be places where I’m celebrated and not just tolerated, or kind of dealt with in a way that doesn’t make me feel respected,” Irving stated. “There were times throughout this process when I was in Brooklyn where I felt very disrespected.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com