Despite not having Kyrie Irving on the court, the Brooklyn Nets are doing just fine without the controversial point guard. After a 1-2 start to the season, they now boast an 8-4 record, ranking 2nd in the stacked Eastern Conference.
The Beard and KD are doing a great job leading this squad, as Harden is finally finding his touch this season. After a 39-point outburst against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, the guard was happy to be back. He added 12 assists and six 3-pointers.
After the game, he joked with reporters, saying that opposing teams only have one way to avoid getting dominated by him and Kevin Durant.
“Ummm pray? Just playin,’ Im just playin’,” Harden told reporters, via Clutch Points. “It’s difficult man, we’re two unselfish basketball players. We’re versatile. Obviously, Kevin is known for his scoring, efficient scoring but he’s also a willing passer. Especially when there’s double teams and things like that so. It’s difficult to guard him, and its difficult to guard me, especially when we got it going.
“We’re just so unselfish we want to get our teammates involved and obviously we can score the ball as well too so we just gotta find ways to continue that ball movement and make sure that everybody is involved that’s on the floor.”
James Harden was asked what opponent's should do when both he and Kevin Durant have it going for #Nets
"Ummm pray? Just playin…." pic.twitter.com/2ED8wM2CVp
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) November 13, 2021
It was a great night for the 2018 NBA MVP and Kevin Durant also praised his intensity while dictating the pace of the game for the Nets.
“He was aggressive all night,” said the two-time NBA Finals MVP. “Getting downhill, getting to the free-throw line, 11 for 18, highly, highly efficient. 12 assists. He just looked incredible… But James did a great job for us tonight controlling the game.”
Just when people started thinking that the Nets would suffer without Kyrie on the court, Harden and Durant told otherwise. They are playing better by the day, and this team looks ready to win it all next year.
They have a terrific duo in KD and Harden. If they stay healthy, the Nets will probably be in the 2022 NBA Finals, but it’s too early to make a prediction about this squad.
