Brooklyn Nets superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving shared their thoughts on the trade of James Harden.
Back on February 10, the Nets sent Harden and Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers. In exchange, they received Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and future draft picks.
A month later, the two franchises square off at Wells Fargo Center in a must-see game. And this will be the first time Harden will face his former team.
For their part, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving said they have no hard feelings for Harden and respect his decision.
Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The two-time NBA champion stated Harden could believe he couldn’t fight for the championship with Durant and Irving out. Therefore, he decided to leave and join Philadelphia. However, he said he understands Harden’s decision.
“Like, we have a great friendship but it didn’t work out. I wish things could have been communicated better for all of us as men. But hey, like, no hard feelings for me or anyone else,” Kyrie Irving said, via NBA.com.
The Sixers have been unstoppable since acquiring James Harden. They have been undefeated with the former NBA MVP on the floor (5-0). Philadelphia has lost only twice in the last 10 games.
For their part, the Nets snapped a four-game losing streak on Tuesday, following their road win over the Charlotte Hornets (132-121). Kyrie Irving went for a season-high 50 points and led Brooklyn to its fourth win in the last 21 games.
Tuesday’s game showed how important Irving is for the Nets. And according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Brooklyn is optimistic Irving (unvaccinated, ineligible for home games) will soon be available full time.
“I think around the Nets there’s still a confidence, maybe even more than an optimism that they’re going to get Kyrie Irving on a full-time basis at some point,” the NBA Insider said.
On NBA Today, Woj said there’s “optimism” around the Nets, league office, and players association that Kyrie Irving will be full-time. pic.twitter.com/igRwlI0SRV — Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) March 9, 2022
Thursday’s clash will also mark the first time Ben Simmons will return to Philadephia after the trade. Simmons will not play, due to a back injury, but he will be on the Nets’ bench.
The former All-Star will not receive a warm welcome by Sixers fans, following his dispute with Philadelphia front office. However, Kevin Durant is not concerned about how his teammate will handle the situation.
“It was a different situation (getting booed in OKC) because I got to play and shut the people up every time I hit a jump shot. But, Ben doesn’t have their opportunity right now.
He’s got to just sit there and just take a bunch of people just being childish and throwing insults his way because he didn’t want to play basketball for them no more,” the superstar of the Nets noted.
The clash between the Nets and Sixers could be a preview of a first-round playoff series in the East. Philadelphia is second, at 40-24, while Brooklyn is within the play-in tournament spots (8th, 33-33).
March 10. 🎟️: https://t.co/jmeZDTPWPc | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/GS5V6USBz5 — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 9, 2022
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