After being swept out of the first round by the Boston Celtics, Kevin Durant has more to prove now than ever. His critics have long scrutinized his ability to lead a team as a number one option, as his only titles came after joining a historically dominant Golden State Warriors team that already featured an MVP in Stephen Curry, an All-NBA guard in Klay Thompson, and a Defensive Player of the Year in Draymond Green.
His conquest after forcing his way off of the Warriors has been nothing but disappointing so far. Despite joining another loaded team with Kyrie Irving and James Harden, he’s only gotten seven playoff wins total to show for it.
The criticism of Durant is a little unfair, considering all of the off-court drama he’s had to deal with between Harden, Irving, and new teammate Ben Simmons. Still, despite the obvious implosions that the Brooklyn Nets have endured, they’re still slated to be one of the top teams in the East next year.
While the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade didn’t bring the immediate help that Kevin Durant and the Nets needed this year, it did set them up for moving forward, if Ben Simmons makes an eventual return that is. It’s easy to forget that Brooklyn also acquired Seth Curry and two first-round picks in that deal, and when Ben Simmons returns, the Nets might still have the greatest collection of top-end talent in the league.
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That being said, Kevin Durant owes it to himself, the Nets, and his fans to give it another honest try with the new core that Brooklyn has built. With COVID restrictions lifting and a full year off of basketball for Simmons, next year shouldn’t leave any obstructions for Brooklyn’s title conquest. Durant needs to stay put and prove all of his doubters wrong next season, his best opportunity to lead a Finals team as the undisputed number one option.
Forcing his way out of Brooklyn would do nothing but add fuel to the flames already singeing the edges of Durant’s legacy. He specifically chose the Nets to team up with Kyrie. So long as those two are there together, they shouldn’t have any excuses or complaints.
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Irving and Simmons are two of the most talented players in the NBA, but they both have surrounded themselves with huge questions and placed targets on their backs. Irving has been the face of anti-vaccination in the league and was the sole reason that the Nets weren’t able to build continuity and the team chemistry that he himself said the team needed following their series loss.
For Simmons, many have questioned whether his bout with mental health has been real or an excuse to escape the pressure and criticism he was receiving in Philadelphia. He failed to make a return to the court and ultimately saw his new team get swept without his services.
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If Kevin Durant can lead this cast of misfit toys to the Finals and ultimately win another title, it’ll cement his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history. There will be no more arguments about whether Durant can lead his own team or win at the highest level as the unquestioned number one option. Durant has nothing to lose and everything to gain by staying in Brooklyn for another title chase.
