Kyrie Irving Responds to Kevin Durant's Comments on Brooklyn Nets Collapse: 'The Turmoil Started Long Before This Season"
In a new twist to the story of the
Brooklyn Nets
' failed superteam,
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving
has responded to
Kevin Durant
's recent remarks, offering his own perspective on the breakdown of their once-promising partnership.
Durant's candid comments about the Nets' struggles sparked a wave of debate, and Irving isn't holding back.
Kevin Durant Opens Up about
Brooklyn Nets
' Failure on Podcast
Appearing on the Mind the Game podcast,
Kevin Durant
gave fans an inside look at the dissolution of the trio he formed with Kyrie Irving and James Harden in Brooklyn. He reflected on a key conversation with Irving during their tenure: 'We had this conversation in Portland… I'm like, who am I spending my next five years with?'
Durant painted a bleak picture—of fractured chemistry, lingering injuries, and mounting off-court distractions that never allowed the Nets to reach their potential.
The team's era ended with just one playoff series win and all three stars eventually being traded.
Kyrie Irving Retaliates: 'That's Not the Whole Story'
The Truth About Kevin Durant's Nets Experience | LeBron James & Steve Nash | MIND THE GAME
Not long after Kevin Durant's podcast went viral,
Kyrie Irving
addressed the situation, countering the narrative that the team fell apart solely because of internal player dynamics.
'The turmoil in Brooklyn started long before this season—it began after the first year of me and KD's tenure with the Nets back in 2019-20,' Irving said.
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He pointed to deeper-rooted issues within the organization and external pressures—such as management decisions, media scrutiny, vaccine mandates, and suspensions—that derailed their plans.
'There were some unfortunate circumstances… whether it be the vaccine mandate or missing games, me suspended—just little things that put wrenches in our journey,' Kyrie Irving noted.
No Bad Blood with Kevin Durant
Despite public speculation, Irving was clear that there's no animosity between him and Durant.
'There's never been one moment where I've felt like he's been angry at me… or I've been angry at him,' he said. 'We just tried to understand each other better and grow as brothers.'
Irving also acknowledged Kevin Durant's trade to Phoenix, saying, 'I'm just glad that [KD] got out of there,' implying that both players sought a healthier environment to succeed.
A New Chapter in Dallas with Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving has found stability in Dallas and seems at peace with his new role.
'I know I'm going to be at a place where I'm celebrated and not just tolerated,' he said, noting he felt disrespected at times during his Brooklyn stint.
The move has rejuvenated his career, and his performances with the Mavericks have silenced many of the doubts that followed him from Brooklyn.
A Superteam That Never Was
Despite all the hype, the Nets' Big Three played only 14 games together. The fallout remains a hot topic among NBA fans and analysts, who continue to debate what went wrong—and what could have been.
Also read:
NBA Legend Makes Bold Claim About Team USA For 2028 Olympics as Global Rivals Rise: Can They Bag The First Place?
From viral podcast clips to Twitter debates, the drama surrounding Brooklyn's collapse is far from over. Kyrie Irving's rebuttal reminds fans that in the NBA, superstar partnerships can be electric—but they're often just as combustible off the court as on it.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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