Kyrie Irving has been having a good run at the Dallas Mavericks alongside the team’s ace Luka Doncic. Except for Kyrie’s time dealing with injuries, the partnership between Luka and Kyrie has been a very profitable one for the franchise as they both complemented each other very well.
However, Kyrie had the opportunity to play alongside some of the biggest stars in the NBA like Kevin Durant and James Harden. He recently did an interview where he talked about his days at the Brooklyn Nets and expressed his thoughts on playing with KD and Harden.
Kyrie Irving gives assessment of his time at Nets
Kyrie Irving recently appeared in an interview where he talked about his time at the Brooklyn Nets, Irving played alongside now Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and James Harden. The trio had great expectations riding on their backs, as fans declared them the next superteam of the NBA.
However, this super trio failed to meet people’s expectations, disappointing fans on many occasions. The Nets’ super squad couldn’t reach its full potential, leading to the eventual breakup of the trio as all the players were traded.
Kyrie recalled his days at the Nets and said, “We could sit here all day and play to what-if scenarios. For me, when James (Harden) arrived in Brooklyn… I have always told them that this thing is bigger than just us being teammates right now.”
Harden was the first to be sent off to the Philadelphia 76ers and Irving followed soon with a move to the Dallas Mavericks. KD was the last to leave the Nets but he eventually did so and ended up with the Suns. Kyrie further talked about Harden and KD and compared the breakup as a trio to a funny analogy.
He said,” It is quite unfortunate that I, James, and KD are part of NBA history what-ifs of just being a superteam and the expectations on us… We did have a few great seasons, It is kind of like one of those times that got away, like a girl that got away, it will hurt you for the rest of your life…”
Nets’ championship challenge fell apart in 2021
The 2021 season for the Brooklyn Nets was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. The team had the potential for a superteam with three prominent NBA stars possessing exceptional talents. The trio of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving had positioned the Nets as prime contenders to win it all in the 2021 season.
However, things did not unfold according to the high expectations of the fans. A combination of injuries, off-court issues, and inconsistent plays led to the Nets falling short in their challenge during the 2021 season.
The major reason for the failure of the Brooklyn Nets could be attributed to injuries suffered by Kevin Durant and off-court issues with Kyrie Irving following the COVID-19 pandemic. Durant experienced a hamstring injury, keeping him out for almost the entire season, missing a total of 23 games. Kyrie Irving added to the challenges by refusing to get vaccinated during the pandemic, causing various issues.
Additionally, Kyrie sprained his ankle and was absent for 28 games due to the ankle injury and personal reasons. Despite these setbacks, the Nets secured a spot in the 2021 playoffs but were ultimately eliminated by the strong Milwaukee Bucks led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. This concluded the dream for all Nets fans, and the expectations from the Nets trio were washed down the river of disappointment.
What do you think of Kyrie Irving’s statements about his days in the Nets? Do you think the Nets had a chance to win the championship in 2021? We are eager to know your thoughts, so let us know down in the comments box.
