NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 18: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets seems on through the second half in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers at Barclays Middle on March 18, 2022 within the Brooklyn borough of New York Metropolis. The Nets received 128-123. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Photographs License Settlement. (Picture by Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs)
Only a month in the past, the Brooklyn Nets have been limping into the All-Star break, desperately making an attempt to determine a brand new plan of motion whereas they waited for Kevin Durant to return from his harm.
They have been virtually compelled to commerce one in all their three stars, James Harden, on the commerce deadline, and the man they obtained again in return has but to play for them.
However regardless of all this, the Nets nonetheless have an opportunity to do one thing particular within the playoffs this yr, and that’s due to one man and one man solely – Durant.
Kevin Durant could lead on the Brooklyn Nets to a championship
With how intense the MVP race between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid has gotten, individuals appear to neglect that Durant was a frontrunner to take residence the award initially of the season.
He’s having an unimaginable yr, and regardless of lacking over a month’s time, Durant hasn’t missed a step. Simply Monday night time, he put up a Master Class performance to steer the Nets previous the red-hot Utah Jazz.
The Slim Reaper dropped 37 factors, 9 rebounds, and eight assists whereas taking pictures 15-of-23 from the sector and 4-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Bruce Brown put up 22 to assist him out, however with out Kyrie Irving, it was primarily Durant vs. the world.
And that’s primarily what it must be for the remainder of the season. It’s trying just like the Nets must face the Toronto Raptors within the play-in recreation, which means that Irving received’t be capable to play.
That’s on high of the truth that Irving received’t be capable to play in any residence video games all all through the playoffs. And contemplating that it was simply introduced that Ben Simmons has a herniated disc, it’s trying like Durant’s going to should do all of it himself.
However actually, he may be capable to just do that. Simply final yr, he performed half of the Nets’ collection in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks with out Irving and Harden, and it nonetheless got here all the way down to the ultimate moments of a Sport 7.
The purpose is, Durant is proficient sufficient to single-handedly win the Nets at the least one playoff collection. And who’s to say he can’t do this 4 occasions in a row?
