Kyrie Irving has finally broken his silence about the chaotic period when he teamed up with Kevin Durant and James Harden in Brooklyn, firing back at Durant’s recent comments that suggested Irving wasn’t fully committed to making their superteam work.
When the Big Three Dream Turned Into a Nightmare
The fallout from Kevin Durant’s candid discussion with former coach Steve Nash about their failed experiment prompted Irving to share his version of events. What was supposed to be a championship-caliber trio instead became a cautionary tale, with all three stars playing a role in Nash’s dismissal before demanding their way out of Brooklyn.
Durant didn’t mince words on the recent “Mind the Game” podcast, suggesting that both Irving and Harden weren’t willing to make the sacrifices needed for sustained success. Irving pushed back hard against this characterization, arguing that the organization never really wanted him there in the first place.
Behind Closed Doors: Irving’s Take on Brooklyn’s Power Structure
Speaking candidly during a Tuesday night Twitch stream, Irving painted a picture of an organization that kept him at arm’s length. “Brooklyn, I wish we had a chance to build a real relationship because they weren’t really with me like that,” he revealed, explaining that while the team publicly courted him, key personnel like former coach Kenny Atkinson never fully bought in. According to Irving, the franchise’s true priority was always Durant.
This account matches earlier New York Post reporting that detailed the Nets’ internal reluctance to fully embrace Irving without Durant in the package. The messy power dynamics created constant friction: a player uprising forced Atkinson out in 2019, paving the way for Nash’s appointment. Nash arrived with strong ties to both Nets GM Sean Marks and Durant himself, but Irving’s endorsement was notably lukewarm from the start.
Looking Back: Irving’s Admission of Mistakes
Irving didn’t shy away from acknowledging his own shortcomings during his Brooklyn stint, particularly his immaturity in handling the business aspects of his commitment. “I wish I had handled the business side better, asked more questions about the future, instead of just blindly committing,” he admitted with surprising candidness.
While Irving recognized his limited say in major franchise decisions like coaching changes or roster moves, he felt his input was often dismissed or undervalued. The situation was complicated by his various absences, his controversial promotion of an antisemitic documentary, and his refusal to comply with New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements – all of which strained his relationship with the organization.
The Breaking Point: Controversies That Defined His Brooklyn Years
Irving’s Brooklyn tenure became a masterclass in brilliant basketball overshadowed by persistent drama. The 2021-22 season started with him sidelined due to vaccine mandate violations, and the following year brought another suspension after he promoted the antisemitic film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” By February 2023, Irving had engineered his trade to Dallas, though he’d actually pushed for his release from Brooklyn as early as 2021.
Reflecting on the vaccine controversy, Irving explained his perspective: “Even the people I worked with supported the vaccine, but I asked to be left alone and released. Obviously, the money complicated things, but they weren’t just going to let me walk.”
No Hard Feelings Despite Public Criticism
Despite Durant’s pointed criticism about his dedication, Irving made clear he doesn’t hold personal grudges against either Durant or Nash. He specifically challenged the narrative about his commitment levels, noting that “We were all focused on the goal, but not everyone shows commitment in the same way.”
Irving’s detailed account offers a rare glimpse into what went wrong during one of the most anticipated and ultimately disappointing eras in Brooklyn Nets history, revealing the complex web of relationships and conflicting interests that doomed their championship aspirations.
