Brian Windhorst doubts Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving stretching their current form throughout the season: “This is Durant-Kyrie the dream level”
The Brooklyn Nets have finally made the tandem of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving work, as they've willed their team back into the playoff picture. They've won 10 straight games, putting the team in second place in the Eastern Conference.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski detailed why the Nets have been successful in winning 14 of their past 15 games: Their All-Star duo have been incredibly efficient. On "The Woj Pod," the basketball analyst praised the team's stars, who have managed to beat the odds.
"This is the type of basketball that we envisioned with the Nets, when Durant and Kyrie got together, and certainly when they got (James) Harden," Wojnarowski said."Essentially, they have two 50-40-90 performers performing at the same time.
"This is an incredible stretch of basketball. This is Durant and Kyrie, the dream level that we've been looking at. There's no way they're gonna continue to shoot the ball this way. There's no way they'll continue to play this well on the clutch. We were all over this team for their deficiencies, and so now, we have to pay attention to them when it's coming together."
Since changing coaches Nov. 1 and Irving's return from an eight-game suspension, the Nets have made an effort to make things work. This proved to be an intelligent move, as Brooklyn is now being taken seriously. Their new coach, Jacque Vaughn, has improved the offense and defense with his brand of basketball.
Also read: Kevin Durant highlights key difference between Brooklyn Nets' early struggles and current success
Kevin Durant's consistency has helped the Nets become a threat in the East
Out of everyone on the Nets' roster, Kevin Durant is the most reliable player. He's played 34 out of a possible 35 games this season. This consistency has given Brooklyn an edge.
Durant is averaging 29.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists, which is good enough to put him in fourth spot in the NBA's Kia MVP Ladder race. He's also shooting at an elite rate, knocking down 56.0% of his shots, including 37.0% from beyond the arc.
Kevin Durant currently has the highest TS% of any 30 PPG scorer in a single season ever.
The Nets are 20-12 despite Kyrie and Simmons missing many games.
He is the MVP. https://t.co/jp4EmNsQA1
For most of their games, the 2013-14 MVP was asked to carry most of the heavy lifting for the squad. KD has had 15 games of 30 or more points and two games of 40 or more. An elite scorer, he's the go-to player for the Nets. Luckily for him, he's not alone.
Coming off a suspension last month, Kyrie Irving helped the 12-time All-Star turn things around for the organization. Both have had incredible performances to increase their chances at winning the NBA championship, proving the doubters wrong.
Also read: Kendrick Perkins lauds Kevin Durant on his 2-way performance for Brooklyn Nets: “He’s been in his bag like he got fries at the bottom”