With the controversy surrounding Isaiah Likely’s marginally out-of-bounds catch against the Chiefs, the Milwaukee Bucks social media team saw their chance to fire shots. They took to X and posted a ‘game of inches’ without any context. Fans quickly noticed that could be a dig at Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets, referencing KD’s infamous shot in Game 7 of their 2021 playoff series.
Game of inches. 👟
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 6, 2024
Many fans were quick to point out the similarity between Likely’s catch and Kevin Durant’s shot, as both their toes were barely on the line. One fan even put the two images side by side, just to show how close both stars were to securing points for their teams.
Kevin Durant 🤝🏽 Isaiah Likely pic.twitter.com/ONMY4kbVNu
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 6, 2024
Kevin Durant’s toe being marginally on the line arguably cost the Brooklyn Nets an NBA championship.
During Game 7 against the Milwaukee Bucks, Durant had an all-timer performance, putting up 48 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal. But his toe being on the line allowed the game to go to overtime rather than a win, where the Bucks stole the game and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.
That game, one could argue, spelled the end for the Brooklyn Nets. Had they won, they would have arguably gone on to win the NBA championship, as many expected them to with the roster they had. However, after the loss, the Nets capitulated over the next two years, and haven’t been able to win a playoff series since.
Nets fans will not be happy to be reminded of this incident, as they were outraged about the call when it first happened.
While the ruling of a two-pointer was harsh, it does follow the letter of the law. Perhaps what makes it more frustrating for Nets fans is the fact that these types of calls don’t usually get enforced during most of the season.
Brooklyn Nets Entering A Rebuild
As mentioned before, in the years since, the Nets absolutely exploded. James Harden immediately began the next season checked out, and eventually demanded a trade. He got sent to the 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, and draft considerations. A year later, both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would be traded as well.
The Nets have been mediocre in the years since, and now, have seemingly fully committed to the rebuild. They dealt Mikal Bridges, whom they landed in the Kevin Durant trade, to their rivals, the Knicks. They also went and got back their draft picks from the Houston Rockets which were initially dealt as part of the Harden trade.
The Nets are one of the many teams looking to underperform intentionally in order to improve their chances of securing the first pick in next year’s draft. The 2025 NBA Draft class is one of the best in recent history, with Cooper Flagg expected to be the consensus first-overall pick.
If the Nets are able to land their next franchise superstar and pair him with Cam Thomas and Nicholas Claxton, they will have a strong foundation to begin their rebuild.
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