On First Day Of Nets Practice, Steve Nash Says Kevin Durant Looks ‘Hungry,’ Kyrie Irving’s ‘Ability Is Off The Charts’

The Brooklyn Nets had the first practice of the Steve Nash Era on Sunday and the first-year coach came away raving about his entire team, and specifically his two superstars: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Durant hasn’t played in an NBA game since June 2019 when he ruptured his Achilles in Game 5 the NBA Finals against Toronto, and Irving, who is reportedly on a media blackout this season, missed the end of last season and the Orlando bubble after shoulder surgery.

“I’m feel very excited and happy for Kevin, who’s had the longest layoff and the biggest challenge to overcome a career-threatening injury,” Nash said Sunday on a Zoom call. “He’s done everything that could’ve been asked and he shows a hunger and a desire of how much he loves the sport and wants to compete, so that’s been fantastic.

“And Kyrie has just been unbelievable with his ability. I mean, his ability is off the charts and to see him sharp and executing today the way we all know he’s capable of, but it’s still sometimes is a shock to see how beautiful the game is when it’s in his hands. But all the guys have worked hard. The vets are leading the way, showing what it takes to be a pro in this league and to come in prepared.”

With the healthy addition of Durant and the return of Irving, the Nets are being touted as contenders for the NBA title. The are at +600 per SportsBettingDime.com, behind only LeBron James and the Lakers (+300) and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks (+550).

“With this team coming in, everybody is on the same page. It’s been made very clear what our goal is and just after the first day of us being together, you just feel it,” Nets guard Landry Shamet said. “That chemistry and that vibe is all a feel, and it feels really good here. I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to contribute any way I can in terms of the vibe and chemistry.”

In terms of Durant, he said earlier this week he wouldn’t know exactly how he felt until he got into an NBA game. The Nets first preseason game is Dec. 13 and they open the regular season Dec. 22 against his old team the Warriors on national TV.

Nash hasn’t used the term “load management” with his stars, but said earlier this week he would be “surprised” if either played competed in all 72 games this season.

“You always want to be careful and err on the side of caution when you’re talking about an incredible talent and force that Kevin is within the game and within our team,” he said. “We gotta protect him and we’ve got to be very thoughtful and strategic in the way we build his preparation and his adaption to the demands and give him the best chance to be around forever more, not just in the short term but create a path for longevity for him.

“Obviously our team success is going to hinge on his availability at some point and we need to make sure he’s available when it counts.”

Having two superstars in Durant and Irving should make life easier on the rest of the Nets, including Joe Harris, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and others, who should have more open looks as defenses concentrate on the two stars.

“First and foremost, they are two of the best offensive players in this game since they’ve been in the league,” Harris said. “And that hasn’t changed, the way that they looked today was sharp.

“The main priority this offseason was for them to get healthy and they definitely are, they look great and they put so much pressure on the defense because of how talented they are and how they’re able to exploit their individual matchups. But they’re also smart, heady players. They make the right decisions, they make the right plays and it’s good for guys like myself. I think if you look across this team, we have so many guys who are good with the ball in their hands, but we have so many guys who are good without it, too. “

Shamet said the vibe in the locker room so far has been great with Durant and Irving, and that on the court the two stars are making life easier for everyone else because they are “smart guys” and “willing passers.”

“I have a lot of respect for both of them, very smart guys, both guys love basketball,” Shamet said.

“You could just tell they love basketball, love what they do, so it’s exciting. They’re smart, easy to play with, easy to pick up on and I’m excited to continue to grow and learn them and the rest of my teammates.”