Kevin Durant Gets Real On The Hiring Of Jacque Vaughn: “I Think He Was Due For An Opportunity Here…”

Kevin Durant makes a statement on Jacque Vaughn promotion.

3 Min Read

Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Going back to this past summer, Nets superstar Kevin Durant felt like a new voice was needed in the Nets locker room. After over a year of working with head coach Steve Nash, KD asked for his job directly to owner Joe Tsai in what was an unprecedented move.

Long story short, Durant wouldn’t get his wish until a few months later, when the Nets started the season 2-5. And now that Nash is finally gone, how does Durant feel about the guy who has replaced him?

According to what KD said on the ‘ETCs’ podcast, he couldn’t be happier with how it has played out.

“I think he was due for an opportunity here. Not just any head coaching job, but here was the place. If the spot was gonna come open I felt like he was the guy. He paid his dues, know the players, seen the guys come in and out, tight relationship with the front office. So, I think he can connect with the players, a little easier. Cause it’s hard to transition a new guy mid-way into the season, early in the season like this. I felt like, for continuity purposes, it was good for us to stick with Jacq. And I’m happy for him, man. He deserves this opportunity. Great basketball mind, great team builder, great leader of men. So I’m looking forward to building.”

https://twitter.com/RealCodyMallory/status/1591142204667752448


Coach Vaughn Faces A Tough Challenge With Leading A Struggling Nets Team 

To say coach Vaughn has his work cut out for him would be an understatement. While he obviously has the support of Kevin Durant and looked right at home after securing his first official win on Wednesday.

Still, there are a lot of unknown variables at play here. For one, the absence of Kyrie Irving continues to loom over the team, and one has to wonder when they will grow tired of waiting for him to be able to return.

There’s also Ben Simmons, who is still struggling offensively despite being fully healthy. Through it all, Vaughn will have to navigate all the different personalities and keep the focus on making things work on the court.

And while Vaughn is still getting used to his new position, he also knows he may not have been the first choice for the job. That was probably Udoka, who was disqualified for his history with the Celtics.

Hopefully, the Nets made the right call here — or it could come back to haunt them for years to come.

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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