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Exit Survey: 3 thoughts on the disposed Brooklyn Nets

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Kyrie Irving #11 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets look on from the bench during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center on April 05, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 118-105. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Kyrie Irving #11 and Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets look on from the bench during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center on April 05, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 118-105. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets helps up Kevin Durant #7 during the fourth quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 20, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Nets 114-107. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Exit Survey: 3 thoughts on the disposed Brooklyn Nets – 1. Don’t panic

Right now, Durant is experiencing a level of scrutiny usually reserved for his old pal LeBron James. It is tough at the top, and everybody has piled in with their opinion on Durant since the completion of the sweep on Monday night. Not since his days with the Oklahoma City Thunder have we seen this, and even then it didn’t feel as bad for Durant as it currently is right now.

But the fact remains that he is easily a top 20 player of all time in the league. Depending on your view of him, he could be even higher. Watching him play basketball is an absolute joy, and offensively he is capable of doing things that even Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart has no clue how to stop.

Jayson Tatum may have helped slow Durant down during their series, but he is a player who we are watching ascend before our very eyes. The relaxing of vaccine mandates also means that Irving should be available from the start next time out. He may be tone-deaf sometimes, but it is also clear both Durant and himself have a genuine friendship that is stronger than the actions of Irving.

Right now, Simmons looks like a sunk cost, but you can be sure they could trade him if they needed to. Teams, especially in smaller markets, will give guys with real talent multiple chances. The Orlando Magic, for example, once traded for Markelle Fultz, and that worked out alright for them when you consider what they gave up in return. Would they want Simmons as well?

The Nets were a top-10 offensive team for much of the season, and defensively, in their brief postseason journey, were not as bad as advertised. They just ran into two young stars in Tatum and Jaylen Brown who can make all manner of shots. They are not starting from scratch next year, and they do have ways to get better.

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