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The Kevin Durant-Kyrie-Irving-James Harden era was one of the biggest flops in sports history.
As noted by NBA TV’s Shaun Powell, during the thirteen months between January 2021 and February 2022 (even including the postseason), Durant only played 365 minutes alongside Irving and Harden.
The Nets traded Durant and Irving for a handful of future first-round draft picks as well as Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and various other assets. While they don’t have the star power Brooklyn once had, they do have something else.
The best ability is often availability and that’s exactly what this new trio brings to the table. Bridges, Johnson, and Dinwiddie have already logged 400 minutes on the court together during the one month that has passed since the trade.
For what it is worth, the Durant-Irving-Harden trio outscored opponents by 14.2 points per 100 possessions when they played together. To compare, the Bridges-Johnson-Dinwiddie trio is outscoring opponents by 2.80 points per 100.
While it’s concerning that Ben Simmons (acquired for James Harden) is not healthy, it’s encouraging to see Bridges and Johnson and Dinwiddie become so familiar with one another so quickly.
The Tip-Off
NBA content from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
Kyrie Irving clapped back at Mavericks fans after they booed Dallas at home. Irving said booing fans can change places with him in Dallas if they want. My colleague, Mike Sykes, has more:
“You can sort of see where Irving is trying to go with this. Trying to brush the boos off is fine. But taking this sort of shot at fans when you’ve only been there for a little over a month probably isn’t a great move.
It’s just pure chaos in Dallas right now. Kyrie is beefing with the fans now, I guess. Luka Doncic seems sad. Jason Kidd doesn’t have any answers. It’s all bad.”
The Mavericks owe their pick to the Knicks, but if it falls between one and ten, they get to keep it.
Hear me out: What if Dallas misses the playoffs, wins the lottery, and Luka Doncic plays alongside Victor Wembanyama?
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Kings (-5.5, -200) vs. Timberwolves (+170), O/U 240.5, 10:00 PM ET
Sacramento plays at home with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since 2006. Need I say anymore?
Shootaround
— Everyone should be glad Brandon Miller’s nightmarish NCAA tournament run is finally over, including him
— Why Brandon Miller’s games in March Madness went so terribly wrong
— Trae Young looked flabbergasted after chucking a ball at a referee led to his quick ejection
— Patrick Beverley trolled LeBron James with ‘too small’ then gestured that the Lakers stink
