'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABiAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAQMEAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQIDBQABBhIEBxMiQVIBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIFEQABBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARAAECAxKBEyEi/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCIyvR6AayjH4qHVdi/MxuPkbuPp7oefSv5FwUG9TNeAQeyt+Q9sbkMpB9jypShT6zPYxGyq91NTRLRY8tkdRAX/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On Wednesday night, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets made a statement against an undermanned Golden State Warriors squad. After scoring a record-setting 91 points in the first half, they walked away with a 143-113 blowout victory.
The Nets are now 9-1 over their last ten games and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, Durant feels they aren't getting the credit they deserve.
After a dominant win over the Warriors, Kevin Durant opened up on Brooklyn not getting more attention amid their recent success. He said that he and Kyrie Irving had to do more than other stars to get the proper recognition they deserved.
Durant told Yahoo Sports:
“I get that other people don’t look at our roster as a championship roster, but when we get wins the way we get wins, you gotta pay attention to that. When Kai [Kyrie Irving] and Ben [Simmons] didn’t play, we beat teams by [nearly] 40 points. Any other team, it’s, ‘Hold on, what they doing over there?’
“They take us for granted, me and Kai especially. We gotta jump through a hula hoop of fire to impress.”
In 29 minutes of action, Durant posted 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals against his former team.
Is Kevin Durant right about needing to do more for recognition?
Kevin Durant realizes his team isn't getting proper credit, and rightfully so. For multiple reasons, the Brooklyn Nets have a long way to go before receiving the praise they seek.
Since Durant and Kyrie Irving joined forces in Brooklyn, there have been high expectations for the team. They got even higher after they made the trade to acquire James Harden. That being said, they've always fallen short for various reasons. After years of the national media penciling them in as finals contenders, the Nets have to prove they are ready to compete.
Another factor is how things unfolded this summer with their star players. At one point, it looked as though Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were both on their way out the door. Since some form of drama is constantly circling the organization, it's tough for them to get positive credit when things go well.
The final piece in the play is the city. New York is and always will be known for the Knicks. Especially right now, as they are playing well in their own right. No matter how good the Nets do, New Yorkers will always be more attached to the team playing in Madison Square Garden.
