Kevin Durant reflects on Brooklyn Nets' struggles and rise in 2022
Kevin Durant reflected on the Brooklyn Nets' 2022 calendar year after the team's 123-106 win over the Charlotte Hornets on New Year's Eve. The Nets underwent massive struggles earlier this year, which lasted until two months ago. Brooklyn has since drastically turned things around.
Here's what Durant said about this topsy-turvy 2022 for the Nets as an organization (via Brian Lewis):
"It was a one of those years you reflect on. You see the turning point in your organization, see different moments that brought us together. You start to see us coming together and form what we’ve been looking to do these last couple of years: A solid team that plays hard every night.
"We went through a lot this calendar year, but we’re looking for bigger and better things in 2023."
🏾
Kevin Durant on the #Nets’ 2022 👇🏾 https://t.co/ymiDgqH8HG
The Brooklyn Nets' were hot favorites to win the title entering the 2021-22 NBA season. However, after Kyrie Irving's suspension (due to his anti-vaccination stance) and a Covid outbreak in the Nets' camp late last year, the Nets' season suddenly went into a downward spiral.
James Harden, who was on the roster at the time, requested a trade and secured a move to Philadelphia. The Nets added a 3x All-Star in Ben Simmons, but he was inactive due to mental health issues and a back injury.
Irving returned as a part-time player, playing games outside of New York and other cities that prohibited unvaccinated players from playing in their arenas. New York eventually lifted the mandate, allowing Irving to be a part of home games for the Nets.
However, the outside noise had hampered the team psychologically, leading to poor performances on the court. Brooklyn made the playoffs after winning the play-in tournament but got swept by the Celtics in the first round.
The Nets almost fell apart this past offseason, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both speculated to be on the move. The former even handed in a trade request before rescinding it. The Nets were one of the most disappointing teams to start the new season, resulting in former coach Steve Nash's firing.
They hired Jacque Vaughn as the interim coach and eventually the full-time head coach. Since then, the Brooklyn Nets have arguably been the team to watch. They look complete, determined and focused as ever during the Durant-Kyrie era.
Kevin Durant-led Brooklyn Nets end 2022 with an 11-game winning streak, going 15-1 in last 16 games
The Brooklyn Nets have earned the tag as the comeback kings this season. They have undergone a stunning transition phase under coach Jacque Vaughn. Since his hiring on November 1st, 2022, the Nets have gone 22-7. They are on an 11-game winning streak, tied for the second-longest in franchise history.
The Nets decimated the Hornets in their last game of 2022. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led from the front. The former bagged 23 points on 60.0% shooting, while the latter scored a team-high 28 points on 57.9% shooting.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn flexed their depth as four other players scored 10-plus points. The Nets stamped their authority on the game with their defense early on, holding Charlotte to only 22 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for their win.
The Brooklyn Nets shot 60.0% from the field overall while holding the Charlotte Hornets to only 39.6% shooting. They now have the second-best record (24-12) in the East and the league.