By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the 2021 NBA Preseason finale win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Durant commented on the latest developments around Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving.
“Definitely, I want Kyrie to be around,” he underlined, “I wish none of this stuff would happen, but this is the situation that we are in. Kyrie made his decision on what he wanted to do and he chose to do what he wanted to do, and the team did the same.”
Durant, 33, logged 19 points behind 8/16 field goals and seven rebounds in Thursday’s 107-101 victory. He certainly would prefer playing alongside his friend in the prep match and in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season moving forward but will not become upset about matters out of his control.
“It’s on me to just focus on me, and do my job, and let those two parties handle that situation,” he noted, “I want our whole team together, and I want us to be at full strength, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. But I am still positive that things will work out the best for both parties.”
Irving, 29, recently confirmed he remains unvaccinated against COVID-19. The New York City coronavirus health and safety protocols implemented require players to receive at least one shot to be able to play in the Nets home games at Barclays Center and on the road versus the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn organization opted to rule him out of all games rather than slate him as a part-timer eligible for the remaining Regular Season fixtures.
“We still get to do what we love to do every day,” Durant pointed out, “This is not the ideal situation coming into the season. But some of this, it’s out of our control. So, what we can do is come in and focus on our jobs every single day. What is being mad going to do? We are not going to change his mind, know what I’m saying? We’ll let him figure out what he needs to do and the team figures out what they need to do.”
The Nets will open the Regular Season with a visit to the Milwaukee Bucks next Tuesday.