The Kevin Durant trade from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns was a huge shift in the NBA landscape. The future Hall of Famer was the last piece of what was maybe the biggest failed Big 3 experiment of the modern NBA era. Even though the Kevin Durant stats were great in Brooklyn, he only averaged 43 games a season during his three years there and never delivered the championship that many hoped for when he, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden teamed up. Although his three years on the Nets were largely a failure, ahead of the Suns vs. Nets game Wednesday, Durant had some interesting comments on his feelings about the Nets.
KD Has Surprising Comments On Nets Tenure Despite Durant Trade
Kevin Durant Trade Gone Wrong
The Kevin Durant trade from Brooklyn was the final blow to show that the Big 3 experiment there was a failure. Of course, every time Durant plays the Nets for the rest of his career, he will likely be asked about his time in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant the Net for life pic.twitter.com/qIRnjT2rB9
— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) November 27, 2024
Before the game, Durant spoke on his feelings towards the Nets organization and his time there. During an interview withAZCentral’s Dana Scott Durant said,
“I’m a Net for life. I’m always gonna say that; I always feel that…It’s gonna be in my heart and my blood forever. So it’s always good to see family, people that I grinded with.”
Durant’s Comments Are Weird
KD feeling like he is a “Net for life” is a little weird. Although Durant was the last of the three stars to leave Brooklyn, this comment feels disingenuous. Durant only played three seasons in Brooklyn, never exceeding 55 regular season games played. Nets fans probably don’t feel like Durant’s time in Brooklyn cements him with the status of Net for life, and neither should he.
Durant can say this about the Thunder or Warriors. Durant played nine seasons with the Thunder. He won an MVP, led the team to an NBA Finals, and won four scoring titles. Although the end of his time there was controversial, he will be cemented in Thunder history. The same goes for the Warriors. Even though he only played three seasons in Golden State, he will never be forgotten for his time there. Two championships, two Finals MVPs, and being a part of maybe the greatest team of all-time will make sure NBA fans never forget Durant’s time with the Dubs.
Suns vs. Nets Game
Just like his time in Brooklyn, the results of the Suns vs. Nets game didn’t go as Durant hoped. The Nets upset the Suns 127-117 on Phoenix’s home floor. As the Suns were recovering from a recent losing streak (3-7 in their last ten games), they needed a win against a depleted Nets team. Instead, the Nets shocked the Suns and got the win without key players like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton.
Durant was (as usual) solid in the game, scoring 30 points on efficient shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. The Kevin Durant stats weren’t all good. He did, however, lead the game in turnovers with seven. The Suns’ 17 turnovers to the Nets 12 were part of how they got the upset. Maybe Durant had some nerves playing against some of his former teammates, but maybe if he keeps losing to the Nets, their fans will eventually consider him a “Net for life.”
