Exclusive: Walt Williams on unexpected positive impact of Kevin Durant's injury on Brooklyn Nets, compares situation to Golden State
Former NBA player Walt Williams insinuated that Kevin Durant's injury is a blessing in disguise for the Brooklyn Nets. Durant sustained a knee injury (MCL) during the Nets' 102-101 win over the Miami Heat on January 8th. The Nets were enjoying a solid run until then, with a 27-13 season record.
Since then, they have fallen to 31-20, losing seven times in 11 games in Durant's absence. Williams thinks it will carry a positive impact on the Nets. He compared it to the Warriors' situation when Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were out injured. Here's what the former NBA veteran said in Sportskeeda exclusive "The BallFather Podcast's" latest episode (releasing soon) about this:
"I like it to other Warriors, when Steph and Klay was hurt, and then other guys off the bench had to come in and play significant minutes. And then when those guys came back those bench guys were battle tested and ready to roll and I thought they were huge for Golden State success.
"So I think something is similarly happening here with the Nets, guys getting a lot of experience focal points on guys who are not normally in that position. So I think they gained a wealth of experience in that environment."
The Brooklyn Nets have seen players like Nicolas Claxton, Royce O'Neale, Seth Curry, TJ Warren and Cam Thomas take on more responsibility in Kevin Durant's absence. Some of these players weren't relied upon enough with Durant playing, so it allowed them to gain experience and be more decisive in crunch situations, even with KD on the floor.
Brooklyn Nets could be lethal once Kevin Durant returns
The Brooklyn Nets enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in franchise history since Jacque Vaughn took over as the team's coach until Kevin Durant's injury. They had a 25-8 record in that stretch, the best in the league. The Nets were fourth in offensive ratings (116.4) and fourth in defensive ratings (109.8).
Durant and Kyrie Irving played like the best duo in the league. The Nets seemed near unstoppable as they romped past their opponents easily, putting in clinical performances on a nightly basis.
Durant was a key part of their success. He averaged 29.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists, missing just one game in that stretch. Durant was also impactful on defense. With KD on the floor, the Nets had plenty of size with Ben Simmons, Nicolas Claxton, Ben Simmons and Royce O'Neal playing alongside him.
His absence has allowed the rest of the group to find their rhythm. That may play a part in the Brooklyn Nets once again scaling the heights they did before Kevin Durant's injury or doing even better. Durant will have far less pressure in crunch time to deliver the goods himself, as Brooklyn will have multiple options to turn to when he returns.