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How the Nets can survive without KD.
The Nets can remain atop the East even without Kevin Durant. (1:45)
3:20 PM
Steve Nash wants the Brooklyn Nets to have a positive outlook as they prepare for life without Kevin Durant.
During Saturday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans, KD injured his left knee. The Nets don't have an exact time frame for when KD will return, but sources told Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday that the franchise expects him to be back in four to six weeks.
Nash is hopeful that his team can stay afloat until the star forward returns. The Nets' big three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving have played just two games together this season because of a combination of injuries and New York City's vaccine mandate.
"If they get a bunch of games together, great," Nash said before Monday's 114-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They don't if they don't. We'll be playing the cards we're dealt so it's not in our hands. We have to do the best we can. We can't cry about it. We don't feel bad for ourselves. We have to keep building, see what we can learn, how we can grow during this period of Kevin being out, and how we can continue to move this thing forward so when they do come back, we're in a better place.
Nash is confident that his group will take the opportunity to play hard and learn without relying on the formerMVP.
Nash said that they lost a scorer of the highest caliber. We lose size and defense. He's a well-rounded player, does many things at a high level, and he gives us small-team size on the perimeter, so there's so many ways that his absence will be felt. It's an opportunity for our team to grow, and it's a great opportunity for guys. We have to find ways to be competitive without him, and we can't rely on him.
Nash said that the 33-year-old is "disappointed." Nash takes solace in the fact that in February of last year, KD had a similar injury when teammate Zaza Pachulia accidentally fell into his knee and he missed a month. Nash believes that Durant has the ability to come back stronger after an injury.
Nash said that he was obviously disappointed. The guy loves to play. It's tough when you're injured, but try to stay positive and look forward to the chance to play, it's not worse.
Nash said that Durant will be reexamined in a few weeks. The Nets are going to have to rely more on Irving, who has played in just four games since returning to the team. The Nets decided to have a part-time player after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Nash said that it's helpful that they have a lot of road games. The All-Star break isHelpful in this stretch. It's nice to have a positive spin on things.
Nash doesn't want to put too much pressure on Irving because he has only played in a few games. After Monday's loss, the Nets are playing 10 of 13 on the road.
I want to give Kyrie the time to get back to his rhythm and not put him in a position where he has to take over and lead the league in scoring. Nash said she wanted him to find his legs without feeling an extra burden.
He hasn't played in six months, and coming back into the NBA game with little practice time, I think we have to give him time to find his rhythm without feeling too much pressure to do things quickly. He has shown his game. I don't want him to feel like he has to be that all at once, because I think we'll see him in no time.
Irving said after the game that it hasn't changed his stance on getting the vaccine, even though Nash didn't have an answer when asked about it.
Irving was defensive about his position and said he was not bringing science into it. "I'm sticking with what I believe in."
Information from The Associated Press was used.
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