Last year, Kevin Durant was a hero in the postseason. After a string of amazing performances, he nearly took the Nets to the Eastern Conference Finals with a hobbled James Harden and absent Kyrie Irving.
Now, he stands on the brink of elimination after dropping just 16 points in 45 minutes of action.
During his chat with the media after the final buzzer, the 2x Champion talked about his play and the looming threat of being sent home in just a few days.
“I try to figure out how to be the best version of myself and also not getting in my teammates’ way. Sometimes I think too much about it. Sometimes I need to go out there with no thoughts in my head and just play.”
This series has been a head-scratcher for KD. As a guy who typically rises to the occasion, his string of bad offensive performances has been shocking and completely out of character.
“What happened is KD and Kyrie didn’t show up,” said Shannon Sharpe after Game 2. “Kevin Durant came up small yet again… I need my big guns to start firing, and it was misfire after misfire after misfire after misfire, that’s not good enough… You had a 7-point lead in the 4th quarter with the best player on the planet and you get outscored 29-12?” “Is that Russell Westbrook? Kevin Durant is turning into Russell Westbrook right before our eyes. Missing, bricking shots, and turning the ball over.”
The question is, can Durant snap out of this funk? Will it even make a difference?
In a 3 game hole, Durant faces overwhelming odds against his bid to win the series. He and Kyrie will have to literally make basketball history if they want to advance.
At the very least, KD can use this loss to fuel his campaign next season and mount a revenge tour that will lead him and the Nets to glory.
