LaMarcus Aldridge, a former NBA great, has spoken up about his time with the Brooklyn Nets, specifically his time playing alongside the star trio of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden during the 2020–21 season. Aldridge described his time with the Nets as “simple” basketball in an honest appraisal, underlining the tremendous ease with which the game unfolded with such talented colleagues.
Aldridge’s observations offer a unique perspective on what it’s like to share the floor with some of the NBA’s greatest performers, as well as shed light on the incredible synchronicity that could have catapulted the Nets to greatness had injuries not intervened.
LaMarcus Aldridge opens up about his time with Nets’ star-studded trio
Aldridge shared insights into his experience playing alongside the star-studded trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving during the 2020–21 Brooklyn Nets season. The Nets, equipped with Harden after a trade and later Aldridge as a buyout signing, appeared formidable. Aldridge expressed that it was the simplest basketball he had ever played, highlighting the remarkable ease with which he could execute plays alongside his superstar teammates.
“Playing with those guys, it was crazy how simple the game became.”
— Oddball w/ Amin Elhassan and Charlotte Wilder (@oddballhoops) September 13, 2023
LaMarcus Aldridge describes how playing with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden made the game so much easier with the Nets.
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Reflecting on his time with the Nets, Aldridge recalled an instance where the game felt almost effortless. He described a play where he set a pin-down screen for Kevin Durant, only for Durant’s exceptional skill to turn it into an effortless assist for an easy dunk. This experience left Aldridge in awe of the simplicity with which plays unfolded on the court.
Aldridge’s tenure with the Nets was brief, as health concerns, particularly cardiac issues, led to his unexpected retirement. Despite a brief comeback attempt and negotiations with the Dallas Mavericks, he ultimately remained out of the NBA.
How many games did Kyrie, Harden and KD win together in Nets?
Slim Reaper described the journey with the Nets as one filled with “ups and downs” but underscored his deep appreciation for the camaraderie and support he received from his teammates. Notably, they stood by him during his recovery from an Achilles injury, making those years special in his career.
Despite the immense talent of the superstar trio of Irving, Durant, and Harden, KD humorously pointed out that they only played 16 games together, managing to secure victories in 13 of them. He alluded to the tantalizing potential they displayed in their limited appearances and expressed regret over not having more time to build their chemistry.
While Durant didn’t delve into the reasons behind their limited court time, he praised his former teammates’ Hall of Fame-worthy skills and wished them success in their respective endeavors. Despite the challenges faced, The Servant’s Nets chapter left an indelible mark on his basketball journey.