
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up before a game against the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Fans of the New York Knicks are flying high right now, with their team winning nine consecutive NBA games. They want a playoff series with cross-town rivals, Brooklyn Nets, and are sliding into Kevin Durant’s DMs for the same. But that may not be such a good idea, according to a former adversary.
“No, you don’t want that,” NBA Analyst Richard Jefferson was crystal clear.
It is because Richard Jefferson faced off against the prime Kevin Durant of the Golden State glory years with his Cleveland Cavaliers team. And even though the Cavs had LeBron James in their ranks, seeing KD line up on the other side of the court still terrified Jefferson – “I had LeBron James on my team, and I didn’t want to see Kevin Durant!”
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via Getty
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors speak after a foul in the third quarter in Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Knicks fans may not be able to explain their elation in mere words. They have been rejoicing at the Garden; the boos have been replaced with loud cheers and with taunts aimed at rival teams. But Jefferson wants them to get off their high horse and leave Durant alone.
“I like the excitement, but let me be very clear. This is the guy before he got hurt, won two championships, two Finals MVP. And was on his way to a third championship before a torn Achilles. That’s the guy you want to get into his DMs and start chirping with?” Jefferson asked on ‘The Jump’.
Jefferson assesses Knicks chances if Nets are ‘100% healthy’
While the Knicks are playing the best basketball in the league recently, the Nets have been inconsistent recently because of their numerous injuries. But what if they were all healthy right now?
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Read More: Hall of Famer Nominates New York Knicks Superstar to NBA MVP Consideration
“All I am saying here is that it’s great for a rivalry, it’s great that the Knicks are that level, but all you have to understand if the Nets are healthy…”

USA Today via Reuters
Feb 7, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the New York Knicks speaks with Julius Randle #30 during the game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on February 07, 2021 in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Mike Stobe/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
However, he does not expect the Nets to sweep them off the court, should the two actually face-off, “I would say the Knicks will win two games. If every team is 100% healthy, and I do believe the way Julius Randle’s playing and the Knicks’ defense is outstanding right now, I think they would win games.”
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Even the neutrals must admit that a playoff clash between the two New Yorkers could be a tantalizing prospect. Let’s see if the Knicks can actually reach that stage this season.
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