Kevin Durant maintains Kyrie Irving’s recent controversy hasn’t affected Brooklyn Nets locker room - “Only impacted you guys and everybody outside the locker room”
Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were put on the spot after their game against the Indiana Pacers. ESPN reporter Nick Friedell wanted to get all the details about Irving's stance on antisemitism. This resulted in a heated argument between Irving and Friedell.
Friedell was persistent when Durant joined the press conference. The reporter questioned him about Kyrie Irving's recent actions on social media.
"Do you think anything that's gone on with Kyrie recently with what he posted and backlash he's faced from it has impacted the group at all?" Friedell asked.
Irving has come under fire for sharing a link to an antisemitic book and movie called "Hebrews to Negroes" on his personal Twitter account.
Kevin Durant said that the Brooklyn Nets are unaffected by what's happening with Irving. Durant pointed out that it's only the media and people outside the Nets' locker room that seem to care.
"Absolutely not," Durant said. "Only impacted you guys and everybody outside the locker room."
Nick Friedell: "Do you think anything that's gone on with Kyrie recently with what he posted and backlash he's faced from it has impacted the group at all?"
Kevin Durant: "Absolutely not. Only impacted you guys and everybody outside the locker room." https://t.co/TZM0Q0zmIN
Brooklyn Nets' disappointing start to the season
The LA Lakers may be winless, but the Brooklyn Nets are still one of the worst teams in the league. They currently have a 1-5 record. Obviously, they were not expecting to play this badly, especially with a healthy Ben Simmons back in the lineup.
Simmons has struggled to develop chemistry with his two superstar teammates. The bench has yet to find its rhythm offensively. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have done most of the heavy lifting. Both superstars have scored 30+ points in eight combined games.
Durant is averaging 32 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks through six games. His highest scoring outbursts came when he dropped 37 points against the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies. Despite his efforts, the Nets fell short in both of those games.
Irving is keeping up with Durant's performances. He's averaging 30.5 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. He scored 39 against the Mavericks and 37 against the Grizzlies. The numbers don't lie. Irving has been firing on all cylinders.
Nets coach Steve Nash needs to get Ben Simmons back in All-Star form and figure out the issues with the second unit. The solution is simple. The Nets need a better supporting cast. Relying on two superstars to score 30+ points every night is not sustainable. The Nets will not win consistently if Irving and Durant are the only productive players.
The Nets will look to bounce back when they take on the Indiana Pacers at the Barclays Center on Monday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm ET.