Mike D’Antoni sat watching. Brooklyn NetsThe season-ending defeat to the Boston Celtics Monday night from his living room in Austin, Texas, a world away from the drama his protégé, Nets coach Steve Nash, had just lived through.
D’Antoni, who was on the Nets bench along with Nash two-time MVP coached the team that will be remembered for being one of the best ever. within a shoe sizeThe Eastern Conference finals.
D’Antoni was on the podium nine years ago. Los Angeles Lakers‘Benches for another star-crossed season when Paul Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Nash were all on the bench Dwight HowardThey fell on their way to a sweep in the first round.
However, D’Antoni was astonished by the Nets season this year.
“The situation seemed so bizarre,” he said. “When you consider all the circumstances that they had to go through this year, and then having to fight their lives for the month to be able to play in the game, it’s quite extraordinary.” I find it not strange that they struggled.
It was done. all over Monday night in BrooklynNash and other Nets stars took turns at the podium, making similar allusions and reminiscing about the off-court drama which overwhelmed the Nets this season, leaving them exhausted on every level.
Kyrie IrvingIt was described as “being the Polarization of the Media Scrum” and “noise”.
Kevin DurantReferred to a lack “continuity”.
Nash was direct about “all those things off of the floor” as well as how they affected Nash’s team on the court.
Nash stated, “Our men wore down.” “They’re tired.”
All of this was brought to the forefront in Monday’s final minutes.
Brooklyn had a major break with Boston leading 109-103 at 2:45. Referee Scott Foster called the sixth foul on Celtics star. Jayson Tatum.
A resurgent appears in the next play Blake GriffinA key offensive rebound was achieved over Boston Al HorfordIrving’s 3-pointer cut the lead to just three points. Durant took the ball from Durant Jaylen BrownWith 1:28 remaining, he hit a 14-foot floater that cut the lead to one. It seemed like the momentum was swinging toward Brooklyn.
Instead of finding salvation, the Nets found more frustration in a season defined as it.
1:16
Kevin Durant shares his thoughts on the Nets’ season ending and whether Steve Nash will be the right coach for the team moving forward.
Durant missed two 3-pointers and a key shot, Irving failed the to box out Horford after Griffin had kept. Marcus SmartOnce he converted a fast break layup it was over, the only thing left was to shake hands and give credit to the superior team for winning the series.
Durant was later asked if he regretted the season, series, or game.
“No regrets,” said he. “S— happens. This year, we’ve seen a lot. Everybody in the company knows what we’ve gone through.”
Durant began listing the things that happened to the Nets this year, but he quickly lost focus on the recap: Irving’s struggles with New York over the vaccine mandate. James HardenTrade, the uncertainty is over Ben SimmonsHis back injury, as well as his mental state, a COVID-19 epidemic, injuries, a lack in consistency, and, most importantly, camaraderie that was impossible to form.
Durant stated, “I wish we could be more healthy as a team.” I wish there was more continuity in the group. But that’s just the league. Each team has to go through this.”
He seemed to be both bored of the drama and disinterested in making excuses. Durant, aside from his injuries was the Nets most consistent player.
Only he knows the extent of his physical and mental toll. Monday night he didn’t feel like he could admit to any fatigue, or make excuses for the heavy weight.
However, Nash was blunt.
Nash said, “Overthe course of the season.” “There were just too many.” [things].” In many ways, the basketball world was a year-long autopsy of what went wrong with the Nets.
However, the assumptions behind these analyses are flawed.
It’s not about what went wrong with the Nets or what actually happened To them. It’s all about the decisions made that allowed these culture-shattering and team-sapping problems to exist.
Harden resigned from the team, asking for a trade mid-season, Irving being unable play in New York City and Toronto games because of his vaccination status, or Simmons’ decision to force a deal from Philadelphia after last season’s playoff meltdown.
As their stars worked through these difficulties, the Nets ownership and management tried to support them. This kind of respect is generally appreciated by superstar players. The Nets stars, except Durant, did not show that much respect. That’s a problem in a star-system team.
Imagine how much time and energy that the Nets wasted on non-court matters when they could have spent playing basketball. How many hours were spent deliberating on Irving’s vaccination status. How much time was spent deliberating about what to do with Harden’s situation? How many hours were spent on deciding whether Simmons would be playing in Game 4, and not how the Nets would adapt to the Celtics’ swarming defense.
1:07
Kyrie Irving acknowledged that his status was a distraction for the Nets this year, but remains determined to return to Brooklyn in fall.
Irving spoke out about the toll of the game and the responsibility he took.
He said, “It was just really difficult emotionally this season.” “I felt like I was letting down the team at a point when I wasn’t able to play.
“I don’t want it to be all about me, but it has become a distraction sometimes.” Irving reiterated Durant’s power within the organization.
Irving said, “When I say that I’m here, it entails that we manage this franchise together — along Joe and Sean.” He was referring to Joe Tsai, Nets owner, and Sean Marks, general manager.
“We have to be very intentional about the things we are building.”
Irving spoke out about his drive to build a better team culture and not rely solely on individual performance like the Nets this season. However, he clearly spoke as a star who was fully empowered by his team. It is great when things turn out well but not as comfortable when things don’t go as planned.
It may sound familiar.
The Lakers, the west coast Nets team, was similarly unable to win this season.
Ironic that a coach like Nash made his name as a player in a system democratic as D’Antoni’s Seven seconds or Less, it is. Phoenix Suns, and a general manger like Marks, who was raised in the San Antonio SpursThis is a culture hive.
As everyone else, they will reflect on what they could do differently. They will then try again next season and hopefully the lessons learned will be useful.
Nash commented postgame that “the tough part is that while we all grew tremendously this year, we were just not able to reap the benefits.” It’s hard to say goodbye after all we went through. We fought hard to keep our family together.
Nash is correct. The Nets fought. They were just not always fighting their opponents on the ground.
D’Antoni for his part still believes in Brooklyn’s star-laden roster.
D’Antoni said, “You haven’t seen anything about what they can do.” It needs to be given a chance. It must have a chance.
“Hopefully they will be able to achieve that.”