Kevin Durant signed on with the Brooklyn Nets because he wanted to play with Kyrie Irving.
The two plotted to come together with Brooklyn as their landing spot back in 2019 — Durant even admitted as much. It was clear that having Irving there was important to him.
But now, with Irving benched because of his refusal to be vaccinated, the two won’t be playing together as envisioned. At least not until Irving changes his mind, the Nets change their minds, or New York regulations change.
So, naturally, one might think that Durant would be a little ticked off about Irving not being available. Especially with the opportunity, the Nets have this year to win a championship.
But…he doesn’t seem to be mad at all. He gave a pretty reasonable explanation for why.
"What is being mad going to do? We're not going to change his mind…life is amazing so I can't be too mad at somebody making a decision for themselves"
Kevin Durant explains why the Nets aren't upset about Kyrie Irving being absent from the Nets pic.twitter.com/QFBwDMWXly
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 15, 2021
“This is not the ideal situation coming into the season, but…it’s out of our control….What is being mad going to do? We’re not going to change his mind. So, it’s like, we’ll let him figure out what he needs to do and let the team figure out what they need to do and, us as players, when we’re in the locker room or on the floor we’re going to work with each other. Life is amazing so I can’t be too mad at somebody making a decision for themselves. Who am I to get upset at that?”
That’s a perfectly fair response. What might be a bit telling is that the two haven’t spoken since the Nets decided to bench Irving.
Kevin Durant said he hasn’t spoken with Kyrie Irving since the decision.
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) October 15, 2021
One would think that, as friends, they’d still keep in contact. So that’s a bit strange, though it may not be significant.
This is all completely reasonable from Durant. There’s nothing Durant can do to convince Irving to change his mind and join the team, so why waste energy trying? It’s clear he’s taken a position and isn’t going to give up any ground.
All he can do is hope that, at some point, Irving changes his mind. It doesn’t look like that’ll happen — at least not anytime soon.
But, clearly, when it does Durant will welcome him back with open arms.
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