Brooklyn Nets quotes: Kevin Durant, James Harden and Paul Millsap on loss vs. Bulls
Another loss to yet another elite team in the NBA has the Nets scratching their heads on what to do. This time around, it came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. The defense was solid, although some fouls could have been avoided. Brooklyn being unable to reciprocate Chicago’s determination of getting to the stipe made things worse too, only getting to the line to shoot nine free throws.
Nevertheless, the contest made one thing known: Kevin Durant is the closer for this team until further notice. When James Harden decides to show that he is still that guy who can get you 30, 40 or even 50 points in games like these when his team needs him the most, he must not be given such big expectations anymore.
Harden is still going to be a very valuable asset to the team of course, but he has a lot of work to do offensively. When the top teams clash, the stars must show up and show out.
Here is what Durant, Harden, Paul Millsap and Nets head coach Steve Nash had to say about the loss.
Steve Nash says,
“I feel for our guys (Nets), they played the right way — I’m proud of the guys’ effort.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Steve Nash says,
“Both teams missed coverages down the stretch — We weren’t as physical or locked in defensively.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Steve Nash says,
“DeMar (DeRozan) controlled the game down the stretch — Got us out of our game plan a little bit.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Steve Nash also says,
“The ball didn’t bounce for us tonight. Missed a couple opportunities that we usually convert.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Steve Nash praises Paul Millsap for doing a little bit of everything this game.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
“They’re a disappointed group. They wanted to win. They had the hunger.”
⁃Steve Nash on how the Nets felt after the loss.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
James Harden says,
“I blame this on me. I had a lot of opportunities at the rim and didn’t convert.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
James Harden wants the team to keep their head up following the loss.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
“Confident in his shot and taking advantage of his mismatches — We’re going to need that.”
⁃James Harden on Paul Millsap’s performance tonight.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
James Harden admits his paint finishes weren’t at a high level.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
James Harden says,
“All these games are building our character and building our togetherness.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
“They made timely shots, we didn’t.”
⁃Kevin Durant on the loss to the Chicago Bulls.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Kevin Durant admits the Nets have to go out there with some force and confidence.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Kevin Durant says,
“We didn’t take advantage of being up 9-10 points — That’s what happens when you got elite scorers like (Zach) LaVine and (DeMar) DeRozan.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
“I should’ve made more shots, I would’ve took pressure off of him.”
⁃Kevin Durant on James Harden’s shooting performance.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Paul Millsap says,
“It’s like once we got something going right, another thing comes that we have to figure out.”
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Paul Millsap admits that he wants the Nets to be an elite team.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
“He can’t blame himself, it’s a team effort — At the end of the day, it’s a team sport.”
⁃Paul Millsap on James Harden blaming himself for the loss.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
Paul Millsap acknowledges that when the Nets play elite teams, they tend to get exposed on the things that they are still trying to figure out.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) December 5, 2021
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