Kevin Durant’s reaction to Steve Nash’s exit in Brooklyn
While most NBA fans won’t have been surprised that Steve Nash did not finish the season in Brooklyn given his tumultuous tenure as Nets head coach, Nets star Kevin Durant says he was shocked when he found out about Nash’s exit.
Durant and Nash had a complicated history together in Brooklyn. As Nash was facing severe criticism in last season’s playoffs, Durant publicly backed his coach, telling reporters that Nash was the right person to lead the team. Months later, Durant had put in a trade request, and reportedly gave owner Joe Tsai an ultimatum that he’d only return to the team if Nash and general manager Sean Marks were fired.
The Nets did not trade Durant and stood by their employees, but in the end, Nash only lasted another seven games.
After Tuesday’s loss to the Bulls, Kevin Durant says he found out about Nash’s firing on ESPN after waking up from a nap. Durant said he was “shocked” by the news, and went on to say he enjoyed coming to work with Nash as the head coach.
“You’re always shocked when a move like this happens, but it’s normal in the NBA.
…. We had a tough start. It was a rocky year last year, rocky summer. We knew that everybody was being evaluated. That’s just how it is in the league.
I liked working with Steve. I liked working with the coaching staff. It was a roller coaster last few years but you know, the core of it – basketball – is something that we all love to do.”
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