Kevin Durant is heading to the Houston Rockets, marking the fifth staff in his storied NBA profession.
The Rockets are hoping his arrival can lastly finish their three-decade championship drought.
Durant’s latest stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns didn’t fairly ship the championship glory each franchises anticipated once they acquired the celebrity ahead.
Within the second installment of the “Thoughts the Sport” podcast, Durant joined Steve Nash and LeBron James to replicate on what went fallacious throughout their time collectively in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant, who spent two seasons with Nash in Brooklyn, gave an sincere admission about their time collectively.
“I didn’t really feel like we obtained the complete Steve Nash like I wished, such as you in all probability wished. I really feel prefer it was simply too many distractions in a manner, and you understand you’ll be able to’t win that manner. […] That first yr, that’s why I signed that deal, that first yr, man, most enjoyable ball I had. A number of the most enjoyable ball I had taking part in in my life. I loved it. I loved taking part in in Brooklyn lots. I beloved taking part in for Brooklyn, however it’s simply a lot across the guys that have been dedicated to the scenario. I felt like we have been dedicated however everyone else wasn’t. It simply was bizarre,” Durant mentioned.
The distractions Durant referenced have been quite a few and vital. Kyrie Irving’s determination to sit down out as a result of COVID-19 vaccine mandate created roster instability.
James Harden’s mounting frustrations ultimately led to commerce calls for that additional fractured the staff chemistry.
Durant believed he and Nash have been approaching issues accurately, however the lack of common dedication from the roster created an unattainable scenario.
The staff in the end splintered regardless of having championship-level expertise on paper.
Accidents additionally performed an enormous position in derailing Brooklyn’s championship aspirations.
Nash highlighted how Harden by no means ought to have been taking part in on an injured hamstring in the course of the 2021 playoffs, a call that will have price them their finest title alternative.
Durant didn’t place blame on Nash for the failed experiment.
As a substitute, he pointed to a locker room that lacked the unity needed for championship success, noting that Nash typically needed to act extra like a college principal than a head coach managing veteran superstars.
NEXT: Analyst Names 6 Groups That Can Win NBA Title Subsequent Season