USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after being called for a technical foul by referee Ed Malloy (14) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 11, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after being called for a technical foul by referee Ed Malloy (14) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Despite being hyped up as the next super team, the Brooklyn Nets are yet to showcase their full potential. Having acquired the massive trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, everyone expected the side to run away with the NBA championship. However, it hasn’t happened yet. And renowned analyst Stephen A. Smith has now lashed out at Durant over the same, to which the former champion had an unkind response.
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While Kevin Durant played his first season with the Nets in 2020, Harden and Kyrie joined in 2020 and 2019 respectively. In spite of performing well individually, untimely injuries and some mishaps during clutch moments have cost the team. In the 2021-22 season, the men in black and white started off without Irving, but he has now returned. Whether or not this can change their fortunes, remains to be seen.
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Stephen A. Smith fires shots at Kevin Durant, gets stern reply
An NBA analyst for many years now, Stephen A. Smith is known for his bold opinions. On many occasions, he has said that the Nets are capable of greatness, but have under-performed thus far. In his opinion, this year will be the deciding season, mainly for KD. Speaking on NBA Today, he made some shocking claims against 12-time All-Star.
“If [the Nets] do not win a championship. … Kevin Durant is on the verge for being recognized more so for the guy that left Steph Curry to go with Kyrie Irving, than he is for the two chips and two finals MVP.”
—@stephenasmith 😳 pic.twitter.com/HqCuCP86WS
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 3, 2022
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“If these brothers [Nets] do not win the Championship, do you understand that Kevin Durant is on the verge for being recognized more so for the guy that left Steph Curry to go with Kyrie Irving, than he is for the 2 chips and the 2 Finals MVPs?” claimed Smith. He went on to laud Durant, but the damage was already done. The 2-time winner, who heard these statements, destroyed the 54-year-old with one word, claiming, “Egregious.”
Egregious
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 4, 2022
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Day in and day out, there seems to be some drama unfolding in the NBA. Will the Brooklyn Nets manage to prove all their haters wrong this year? Or is another disappointment coming their way soon? Only time will tell.
