“When Kev made that request, I feel like we got better” – Kyrie Irving believes the Nets duo facing similar hardships made their bond stronger, says they have the same principles for success now

Kyrie Irving believes Kevin Durant's trade request made the Brooklyn Nets better. The Nets appeared to be a disjointed unit last season. Irving's refusal to get vaccinated saw the Nets suspend him until December. James Harden demanded a trade before the deadline and moved to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Irving returned, but the roster chemistry wasn't there for Brooklyn, resulting in their first-round series sweep by the Boston Celtics. This offseason seemed like the end of the Durant-Irving era when the former requested a trade.

With possible suitors unwilling to match the Brooklyn Nets' asking price, Kevin Durant rescinded his request and committed to the team. The unpredictable offseason circling Durant led many to believe the Nets will struggle with their chemistry again. However, Kyrie Irving believes it brought the team together.

Here's what the former NBA champion told The Stadium's Shams Charania about it:

"When Kev made that request, I feel like we got better afterwards, not initially. ... We can honestly say we got to know the principles that our team needed for success. But without going through some tests during the summer time or during the season, we wouldn't be as closely bonded as we are now."

Irving and Durant enter the new season with a chip on their shoulders. Both haven't been able to lead the Nets to new heights, winning only one playoff series since teaming up. They have the opportunity to begin the season healthy and together. Irving and Durant will be hoping to capitalize on that and make a deep playoff run.

Shams Charania

@ShamsCharania

Part 2 of Kyrie Irving on @Stadium: "I’m going for every piece of hardware that I could possibly get out of the NBA." On the Nets post-KD trade request, his team bonding event, admitting "I don't think it was my time to ask for a trade" with Cavs, Uncle Drew, meaning of A11Even.

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Part 2 of Kyrie Irving on @Stadium: "I’m going for every piece of hardware that I could possibly get out of the NBA." On the Nets post-KD trade request, his team bonding event, admitting "I don't think it was my time to ask for a trade" with Cavs, Uncle Drew, meaning of A11Even. https://t.co/TI4IKfOBEs

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have the tools required to lead Brooklyn Nets to the finals

The Brooklyn Nets have the best squad balance since acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019. Their defense was one of their glaring weaknesses. With the additions of Ben Simmons and Royce O'Neale, the Nets have improved in that facet.

Meanwhile, they continue to be one of the best shooting teams. They have elite shooters like Joe Harris, Seth Curry, Patty Mills and O'Neale around Irving and Durant, who are remarkable in that aspect too.

The Brooklyn Nets haven't played as a unit, one of their biggest drawbacks since forming a superteam with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, that could change this year.

The Nets seemed to rely more on moving the ball during the preseason. Over the past three years, they've been far too reliant on iso-ball situations, with Irving and Durant taking charge. However, that didn't prove to be successful consistently.

With Irving, Durant and the supporting cast around them, the Brooklyn Nets could be one of the best teams in the league. If their stars manage to stay healthy, the Nets could be in the running to make an NBA Finals appearance.

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