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Next season could be the final hurrah for the Brooklyn Nets trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. Amid doubts over the future of at least two of the three Nets stars, the 2022-23 campaign could be their last opportunity to win a title together.
On "NBA on ESPN," host Mike Greenberg spoke about Brooklyn's situation. He lauded Nets owner Joe Tsai for not caving in to his players' demands. Greenberg also pointed out that their failure to get what they wanted could be their biggest motivating factor next season. He said:
“This is your worst nightmare happening here. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons are each individually highly-motivated. Durant, because when you cut through all of the other nonsense that goes with him, he’s one of the greatest players that ever lived and burns to be great.”
He added:
“Kyrie Irving has every reason in the world to show up and play every single day because he’s never gonna get paid anywhere near what he genuinely deserves or what his talent would suggest he’s worth if he doesn’t go out there and play every single day.”
The drama around the Brooklyn Nets continued into the offseason after they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Kyrie Irving wanted a max extension and when he couldn’t get it, tried to leave via the sign-and-trade option. “Uncle Drew” eventually opted into the final year of his contract.
Durant, meanwhile, demanded a trade out of Barclays Center. A month later, he asked Tsai to fire General Manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash. The owner refused and publicly supported the front office and coaching staff. Durant then decided to commit to the Nets long-term.
Simmons, meanwhile, hasn't played since arriving in Brooklyn. The former Philadelphia 76ers guard could prove to be the Brooklyn Nets’ x-factor if he can stay fit throughout the season.
According to Greenberg, the Nets will be serious contenders if their three top players can play well together.
“Ben Simmons is a guy who I think has put himself in some serious jeopardy of the whole world forgetting that he’s an All-NBA caliber player. No one talks about him that way anymore, but that’s how good he is.
“They are going to be motivated. They are going to be together. I think the Nets are a legitimate championship contender as currently constituted.”
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Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons would have to trust Steve Nash
It’s safe to say that the team’s superstars and the head coach will have some things to work on to be competitive next season.
If Nash can’t earn the trust of his Big 3 and Tsai publicly supports the head coach, things could get ugly quickly for Brooklyn. A head coach who doesn’t have control of the locker room will be ineffective, to say the least.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will have to learn to play for Steve Nash if they want to achieve what Joe Tsai called their “lofty aspirations.”
Ben Simmons, meanwhile, will need to return to his very best after recovering from back surgery.
Guess the Lakers players!
