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Kyrie Irving will have to play new role due to James Harden’s struggles

By Zamir Bueno

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets, James Harden, Kyrie Irving
May 6, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts during the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center, Brooklyn Nets, James Harden, Kyrie Irving. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The league has a perception that the Brooklyn Nets brought back Kyrie Irving as a part-time player because they wanted to reduce Kevin Durant’s minutes. John Hollinger of the Athletic wrote on Twitter that the final two sentences of the Nets’ press release announcing Irving’s return should have said, “we brought Irving back to avoid running Durant into the ground.”

Hollinger’s joke has a kernel of truth to it, as Durant has seen a 13.8 percent increase in his minutes over the first 27 games of this season, averaging 37 per game. Brooklyn has decided to increase Durant’s minutes because the offense struggles when he isn’t on the court.

Brooklyn Nets are struggling when Kevin Durant goes to the bench, so getting Kyrie Irving back is crucial

The team is currently shooting 41.1 percent from the field on 25.1 shots per game in the 11 minutes that Durant is on the bench. The team’s struggles with Durant on the bench are related to James Harden seeing a decrease in overall effectiveness.

Harden is shooting a career-low of 40.4 percent from the field on 14.7 shots. This poor field goal percentage has allowed him to score only 20.8 points. Harden’s decrease in efficiency is due to a rule change. Prior to this season, the league decided it wasn’t going to call fouls when an offensive player does a non-basketball move.

Unfortunately, Harden’s game has been predicated on drawing fouls with non-basketball moves. When Harden realizes that a defender is close to him as he is driving to the basket, he tilts his body backward to create the illusion that the defender is hitting him.

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