It is the opposite aspect of the story… up to some extent. Do the Nets perceive Kyrie Irving and is that the basis of their issues with each him and Kevin Durant? It is not one thing talked about on ESPN or reported by The Athletic, however a couple of professional with ties to KD has advised it is on the root of his issues.
So let’s put apart the day by day rumors with their typically conflicting experiences about what is going on on with the Nets and their superstars.
The primary to recommend that the Nets assumed they did not perceive Irving got here from Logan Murdock within the days earlier than KD determined to not take part. Murdock, who toured with the Nets final season and coated for Durant with the Warriors, mentioned Durant had misplaced confidence within the Nets’ entrance workplace for varied causes, however particularly cited what KD thought was a lack of know-how of Irving. He did observe that the $36 million-a-year guard needed to sit out a lot of the season after refusing to get vaccinated.
“His greatest downside is that he feels just like the entrance workplace did not get Kyrie, no matter which means,” Murdock instructed Kevin O’Connor on O’Connor’s podcast. “I’d reject that when a man is gone for 2 weeks at a time…Kyrie will get a lot of the blame. However I believe KD thinks ‘hey, you guys did not get this man.’ You did not attempt to discover out the place he got here from.’”
Later, Jamal Crawford, who performed the final recreation of his 20-year profession with Brooklyn, hinted on the similar downside, saying that Irving, whereas a unstable persona, can be an artist and, like many artists, is commonly misunderstood. Showing within the NBA Vince Carter Present two weeks in the past. Ros Gold-Onwude requested her if she misunderstood Irving.
“Kyrie, it’s extremely creative. So when he performs basketball, he does not see himself enjoying basketball. He’s… he thinks like an artist. He actually does. So with an artist, you could have this canvas, ‘I can draw right here, possibly purple. over right here possibly blue. Crimson and blue don’t match. Just like the Crips and the Bloods do not go collectively,” Crawford mentioned, mimicking somebody who does not perceive artwork the best way the artist does. “’They go collectively in my darkish and twisted fantasy like Kanye.’ As if he was a genius in that sense. He’s an artist.
That, he says, makes him misunderstand. He additionally admitted that there are contractual points, however emphasised that artists are completely different and ought to be seen that means.
“A lot. I believe he’s extra misunderstood than accountable,” Crawford continued. “Clearly if you signal a contract, you must present up and carry out. I get that half. However they misunderstand it as a result of if you’re an artist to that diploma, you see issues otherwise anyway. As if it wasn’t regular to see issues. Tupac, for instance. he did not see issues as a standard rapper. He noticed it otherwise.
“They are saying if you’re a genius, you are this near loopy. You are slightly out of it as a result of you must suppose otherwise to be a genius. You may’t suppose the identical as others.”
Crawford added that the 2 gamers’ connection is powerful and never primarily based on basketball however on character that requires each high-character people who consider others first.
“Character… is prime notch. One other one who cares about folks,” Crawford mentioned of Irving. “I believe that’s the widespread bond between them. They’re very related in that sense.”
Crawford by no means performed with any of the superstars, he performed within the “bubble” when Durant and Irving acquired damage, however he is aware of each of them, significantly KD. He mentioned Durant’s choice to hunt a commerce got here as a shock to him.
“Clearly the Kyrie scenario was going to return to the fore sooner or later, clearly. it has been a narrative all 12 months lengthy,” she mentioned. “Kevin’s scenario is what baffled me. as a result of the day earlier than, should you have a look at it, the time of it. Kyrie is “effective, I am signing up. See you within the fall.” The following day, Kevin is out, he did not say, however they’re saying, ‘I wish to get out of right here.
Had been the superstars “in collusion?” Gold-Onwude requested.
“That is the half I am unable to establish. I am unable to actually level the finger at it. As a result of I am seeing it, the second it occurs, and I say why announce it then, however you by no means know. Then I heard that they may wish to pair up once more someplace apart from Brooklyn. That half is the tough half. If I used to be in that locker room, I might let you know. however proper now, I do not know.”
Crawford additionally mentioned he thinks folks ought to first have a look at the Nets’ position in shedding not simply Durant and Irving, but additionally James Harden. Harden, in fact, referred to as for a commerce and was despatched to Philadelphia … not less than partially due to Irving’s refusal to get vaccinated.
“I’d have a look at the Nets first. The truth that you had Harden and KD and Kyrie and three of those guys have been gone in a 12 months. I am not trying on the gamers. I am taking a look at them first. I will offer you a deeper have a look at what is going on on.
When requested if the Nets mishandled issues, Crawford replied: “It appears so. it appears completely so as a result of these are three superstars. generational skills they usually come out… in a 12 months?! That is one thing to take a look at.”
What ought to Durant do now? Crawford was requested.
“I believe Kevin ought to do what’s greatest for him. Kevin is a good giver. If you recognize him, he’s at all times fearful about different folks, eager about different folks. He cares for himself ultimately. I believe he ought to care about himself and put himself first, fear about his happiness. That is what I believe he ought to do.”
In the meantime, again within the rumor mill, Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned the Nets have not seen a commerce bundle they like but.
“Brooklyn simply does not have a deal that is ok to justify buying and selling Kevin Durant with 4 years left on his contract,” Woj mentioned on ESPN. “They maintain speaking to groups across the league, however simply, nobody is reaching that threshold.”