The Brooklyn Nets have just completed their fourth official practice of the season inside their gleaming training center, 3 miles from their arena, with a beautiful view of the New York skyline. Kevin Durant walked over to the assembled media and tried to end the discussion about his summer of discontent, one in which he asked for a trade, then asked for coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks to be fired
Is it possible to move on past that? He wiped sweat from his face.
The next exchange was more telling about the future of the star forward and the organization that still signs him. While standing in front of a Nets banner in a corner of the practice facility, he listened to a question about how the Nets can build camaraderie with the same core players who struggled to do so last season.
What are you talking about?
When he is told that everyone is on the same page, he responds quickly.
We were always on the same page.
At the end of last year, did you guys agree on anything?
Did our team include all of us?
Marks admitted after last season that the Nets had to get their culture back with team personnel privately acknowledging the Nets' issues were far deeper than what happened on the floor. The chemistry that had defined the team's rise back to respectability under Marks had eroded, with many around the organization seeing a group far too reliant on the two superstars.
"We just came in and played pickup last year," said Curry, who was acquired in February. The basics of what we were doing defensively and on offense were not followed. We relied on pure talent to win games.
The Nets were on the verge of a full-scale rebuild that would have wiped away much of what was supposed to be a championship reign with KD, Irving and the rest of the team. The Nets were left with a unique situation: Instead of picking up the pieces, they were left to see if those pieces could fit together again.
Back inside the practice facility, before the controversy over his teammate's social media posts about Alex Jones and an antisemitic movie and book, before Simmons' poor play, before the players-only meeting, before the controversy over his teammate's social media posts about Alex Jones and an
"When you look at the whole picture, we haven't been well for two years." Major guys, not just role players but guys that make a lot of money, were not included in the playoffs. When you get $50 million on your bench this last playoffs with Joe and Ben, and then the playoffs before that. I want to see if the guys are healthy. We have a bit of continuity.
The Nets are doubling down on their bet on this year's team.
The photos the Nets' social media team released after a team dinner at Brooklyn's Lucali restaurant would be all Norman Rockwell would need to paint a portrait of the team.
Three people are sitting at a table, enjoying a pizza. David Duke Jr. is talking to Fivio Foreign. Raiquan Gray was invited to Curry and training camp. The big men talked with the radio host.
Curry said that getting to know each other, getting to know everybody's goals of the season, and how you can talk to different guys is very important. We didn't take that step last year. We showed up and played basketball, but didn't know each other.
Player after player had said the same thing: "The vibes are definitely better."
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Veteran guard Patty Mills said that the foundation of all successful championship winning teams is it. The trust on the floor is helped by the things that are created off the court.
Since signing with the Nets last summer, Mills has become a trusted figure within the locker room, a role he cherishes given the lessons he learned during 10 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. Marks added another strong voice with the addition of veteran Markieff Morris.
Irving said that they do the same things as you guys to get closer to their co-workers. We hang out on the weekends when we can escape from our families. We talk about what's happening in the world but our focus is on the mission here. We're getting ready for a championship run.
It takes time to learn about what our teammates do and don't like.
Marks was asked how the low turnover could grow the culture. Culture within any team is constantly evolving according to his answer. Nash was more open minded.
There were a lot of teams that got along. It's pointless to draw a diagram by the greatest team-building expert in the world if the people don't fit into it. It's important that personalities are important. I believe we have some good ones.
There is no better personality in the Nets than Irving. According to multiple team sources, Irving's decision not to get vaccine, compounded by his unreliability, contributed to the Nets' downfall last season. Nets personnel have praised Irving for his change in demeanor.
He is bringing a different energy this year. He has been locked in. He is prepared to make a difference.
Nash said that he could only judge his effort and attitude. We've been proud of him and his leadership. He's done a good job of mentoring younger players and trying to bring the group together.
Irving said he doesn't worry about changing the narrative that has defined his career.
Irving said that he could not pour energy into that. For the last year you guys have asked my teammates a lot of questions about me, and why I'm not here, so I think the reality is that we're here, and for the last year you guys have asked my teammates a lot of questions about me, and why I If everyone started off the season healthy and we had a good start, we could see the consistency that I would have put forth last year and the year before that.
Good vibes are abundant in September and October.
If we hit a skid or are not playing well, we don't know what the vibes will be. We stick through those times by using that method. It's easy to be positive right now, but we'll see as the season progresses.
It's October The Nets are holding onto a one-point lead in the waning minutes of their game against the Raptors. The Nets have moved in the right direction. On back-to-back possessions, there is little ball movement, little offensive flow, and just Irving and KD taking iso-jumpers. The Raptors, full of rangy 6-foot-8 defenders, lock in as the clock winds down.
With Toronto forward Scottie Barnes guarding Irving, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet slides over for the double-team, leaving O' Neale wide open in front of the Toronto bench O' Neale made the gameclincher after Irving changed course and gave it to him.
It could be a sign of the kind of culture the team has bet a lot on. It might be the right play at the right time.
O' Neale said after the game that it felt good. "Who wouldn't want to win the game?"
Irving is sitting at a locker
He told them to trust.
O' Neale said to trust. It was like he said.
The good vibes that have been building since the training camp ended are over. The Nets have grown accustomed to playing as drama unfolds around them.
Steve Nash could lose his job with the Nets.
The Nets lost to the Pacers on the second night of a back-to-back, dropping their fourth game in a row. The loss was called a disaster by Nash. Irving is involved in another controversy, this time answering for a post he made about "Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America," a book and movie that features antisemitic stereotypes.
Nets players walk off the floor to their own locker room on the other side of the arena after the Pacers head down a small hallway into the visiting locker room.
The team is holding a players-only meeting early in the season for teams that are not functioning well.
Simmons said that they need to be accountable on the defensive side. Guys are coming in here and putting up career highs, but we're not clicking defensively. We have to hold each other to account. We talked in the locker room about how to guard your man and be the best version of yourself.
The team struggles with its own adversity according to Nash.
He said that they haven't had enough resilience to fight through. resilience and character are what we're looking for right now, to play for each other and do the little things. We have to make some decisions if we don't have that effort and sustainable.
Less than five minutes later, as his teammates quietly shower in the locker room, Irving sits down at the post game podium. Both the Nets and the NBA issued statements condemning his post.
Irving and the Nets were aware of the questions that would come. He explains how he got to know about the movie and book. He is asked why he posted the video.
An antisemetic film was promoted on Irving's social media accounts.
Irving said that it was a few weeks ago. I don't agree with Alex Jones' position regarding Sandy Hook or any of the kids that felt like they had to relive trauma. The trauma had to be relived by parents. There were many lives lost during that event. Alex Jones wrote a post about secret societies in America in the early '90s or late 90's. It's correct.
I was not identifying with Alex Jones or anything like that. Out of all the things I posted that day, that was the only one that people chose to see. It goes back to the way things are. I don't want to complain about it.
Irving defends his post as tensions rise. He says he has a "unique position to have a level of influence" in his community, then accuses the media of making up "this powerful influence that I have."
Irving doesn't say if he has antisemitic beliefs. He doesn't agree with the idea that posting a link to a movie shows support or promotion.
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Irving walks back into the locker room after a member of the Nets' public relations team ends the news conference.
He said he would like to feel the same about reproductive rights for black people. All the things that are important are not what I'm posting. Irving has something to say before the door closes. Change your life.
Players still think they can turn things around. Simmons believes that the team can be the best in the league. I think so.
It's possible that private may be another matter. When it comes to assessing the state of his team, it is Durant who gives the most honest assessment. When asked if the attention surrounding Irving's social media posts has had any effect on the group, he was the last member to speak.
"No, absolutely not." Everybody outside the locker room impacts you guys.
In the wake of another loss, the NBA's most valuable player is asked if Nash's message is still being communicated. In the moment, he gives an unvarnished view into the mind of a team that seems to be splintering into chaos.
It's on the individual. He's not playing for us and the coach can do a lot. At the end of the day, we're not a team, we're individual. We have to do better as individuals and then we can figure it out. Each man needs to dig down deeper and be better. It is what it is.
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