In a few days, Brooklyn Nets fans will be able to say, “Kevin Durant is expected to be back this year.” Though that doesn’t mean the superstar forward will be able to play in the 2019-20 season. The calendar is turning over, and the franchise has expressed Durant isn’t expected to return this season, but he should be able to suit up for the Nets in the latter half of 2020.
But quite a bit of time has to pass before Durant is back on the floor and making his Nets debut.
When he does come back, a certain Hall of Fame small forward has some advice for the superstar.
Via Mike Mazzeo of Yahoo Sports, Atlanta Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins told Durant, “Don’t listen to your critics.”
The reason Wilkins is offering advice to Durant is he had to bounce back from a torn Achilles, too. So he’s heard everything Durant will when he officially starts his Nets career:
I heard all those negative things. And I used it as fuel to prove [my critics] wrong. So that’s what he has to do. Because you’re going to have your doubters. You’re going to have your naysayers. You’re going to have all these people that have an opinion of what you’re going to be like when you come back.
Wilkins continued:
They’re going to be quick to say, ‘Well, the guy can shoot the ball and he’s talented, but what about the explosion?’ You get people saying stuff like that. So again, it comes down to, ‘How do you prove people wrong?’ You go out there, believe in yourself and work hard to get back to that star level. And I think everything else will take care of itself.
Wilkins also told Mazzeo the forward’s worst days will come at the beginning as he works to overcome the mental scars from the injury. But the Hall of Famer believes Durant will power through that, like he did himself:
We’ve talked a little bit. Not much. But I’m always willing to give any type of insight or advice on that injury. It’s a time-consuming injury, but if you put in the work you can get back from it.