Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden are three of the NBA’s top scorers. And, together, they make up the most versatile and explosive offense in the league.
But since the Harden trade, the Nets are allowing 124.6 points per game, the worst defensive rating of any team in the league from any year in history. After Sunday’s loss again the Wizards, in which the Nets gave up 149 points, even Kyrie Irving couldn’t deny that his squad has some serious improvements to make if they want to make a big run in the playoffs.
“I don’t know if we’re going to get many wins if we allow 48 points in any quarter. I couldn’t guard a stick today. We just take this one on the chin and keep it moving,” the Nets star said to Malika Andrews.
Kyrie Irving: “I don’t know if we’re going to get many wins if we allow 48 points in any quarter.”
“I couldn’t guard a stick today.” pic.twitter.com/eLOsvnB0rK
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 1, 2021
Kyrie Irving: "I couldn't guard a stick today."
He added: "We just take this one on the chin and keep it moving."
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) February 1, 2021
With as much talent as the Nets have, it’s a true Championship or bust season for them. If they don’t win, it will be seen as a huge failure by the NBA community.
So, improving their defense has to be a priority for them moving forward if they want to avoid disaster.
At the very least, it’s a good sign that Irving is willing to recognize that.
