Kyrie Irving shares Nets team-up was planned before Kevin Durant's Achilles tear
The pair played well together, however, injuries and a variety of off-the-court issues prevented them from bringing the franchise their first NBA title. Irving recently discussed the decision to join the Nets, revealing that the duo actually planned the move prior to Durant tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals.
"KD had just tore his Achilles in the Finals," Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving stated Tuesday. "Me and him were planning on doing things to go to Brooklyn. I don't know any of you guys that would still stick it out with one of your friends that tears their Achilles and wait a year and a half for them to get healthy, but I'm that dude. I'm not about to leave K out there after a torn Achilles and be like, 'nah (expletive that), we're not going to play together anymore'. I waited for my brother to get healthy."
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Irving and Durant appeared to have the Nets in contention, particularly after the trade that brought James Harden to the organization. The trio appeared in just 16 games together, however, as they were 8-2 in ten regular season matchups and 5-1 in six postseason outings.
Their lone postseason run together was derailed by injuries as Irving and Harden both missed three games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the Nets lost to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in seven games. The following year, Irving opted not to take the COVID-19 vaccine, which led to Harden requesting a trade and ultimately being moved to the Philadelphia 76ers.
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