This is not a good time to be a Brooklyn Nets fan, that much is clear. It’s not every day where your franchise player hits you with an ultimatum—its either me or the coach and the general manager.
How did we all get here in the first place?
DURANT. It wasn’t too long ago that the arrival of both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving instantly made this team a championship contender.
Hopes were high, despite a few hiccups here and there. Injuries limited the playing time of both superstars. There were lineup changes. Then James Harden arrived and on paper, the Nets looked even more formidable.
Everyone said it was a matter of time before they start figuring everything out.
Then of course, Irving refused to be inoculated. Harden left. Last year was disastrous for them as they were handed an unceremonious first round playoff exit.
Fast forward to today and Durant is essentially trying to checkmate billionaire owner Joe Tsai, who for his part stood his ground by tweeting out his support for the front office and coaching staff.
CELTICS. As of this writing, it looks like the team with the most potential to be Durant’s landing spot is the Boston Celtics.
One of the trade packages the Nets want is supposedly Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown for Durant but the Celtics reportedly are not keen on parting with Brown who has been a vital cog for their last three deep playoff runs.
Other teams mentioned as alternative landing spots are the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors but word on the grapevine is that Durant is partial to the Celtics. Durant is also reportedly close with Celtics head coach Ime Udoka who had previously spent some time with the Nets as an assistant.
To me, I am glad that Tsai is so far, pushing back. It’s quite preposterous for these multi-millionaire players to be calling the shots when management has not been remiss to them in terms of their contractual obligations.
Sadly, this has become the era of the spoiled, over-indulged basketball superstar who thinks of himself as the next greatest thing since the invention of sliced bread.
The oft-injured Durant has been paid in accordance with his contract and his obligation is quite simply to play. He has no business holding hostage his team and consequently, the Nets fan base.
LAST ROUND. It’s on the ultra-talented Jojie Cabrillos of MTCC 2 Talisay City who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!