In the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets suffered one of the worst defeats in recent history. The so-called superteam of the Nets failed to live up to the high expectations set by the fans.
So much so that the Nets even failed to win one game against the Boston Celtics. Yes, a team featuring the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, and more was swept by the Celtics.
The aftermath of that embarrassing series was that many fans and sports analysts started to discredit the rings that KD won during his time with the Golden State Warriors. Charles Barkley in particular was quite vocal about it as he labeled Durant a bus rider. But the Slim Reaper is someone who always has something to say back to his critics.
This time around KD did it via posting stories on his Instagram featuring Chuck in different “superteams” that he was part of. Anyway, while most of the world is destroying KD and co. NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has supported him by using his time with Dwyane Wade as an example.
Via EssentiallySports:
“What that means is, you’re not really that good, not you individually, your team. And when you’re the leader of your team, it all falls back on you. So, that’s what he meant by that but you know. Yeah, I was a bus rider in my last championship with D-Wade. I started off driving the bus but I was like D-Wade, here’s the keys you take it off and we were able to come back and win. There’s nothing wrong with that you know because it’s all a team process.”
As Shaq pointed out, he was on the verge of his prime ending when he joined forces with D-Wade and it resulted in him winning an NBA Championship.
While KD’s prime is yet to be over, he decided to join the Warriors and win two titles with the team. Now, some might call it bus riding while others will label it as a smart decision.
