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Just last week in this very Morning Win space I wrote about how Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets were a walking NBA cheat code. They were coming off a Game 2 blowout win over the Bucks and seemed like they were on an easy path to a NBA title.
The basketball world was theirs.
Well, things have changed a lot since then, which can happen in the NBA playoffs. The Nets lost the last two games in Milwaukee and lost Kyrie Irving in Game 4 to a sprained ankle that didn’t look good at all.
Tonight the series, which is tied at two games apiece, shifts back to Brooklyn for a pivotal Game 5. Both Irving and Harden will be on the sidelines watching this one in street clothes, which means Durant will now be the one putting his team on his shoulders and trying to lead them to what would be a very big win.
And you have to think Durant can’t wait for such an opportunity because a big night tonight will go a long way in shutting up a lot of people/idiots who have been talking you-know-what about him ever since he went to the Warriors years ago.
Durant, who would obviously want Irving and Harden in there with him, has been crushed by internet trolls for years for making a good decision to join Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Co. in Golden State. He won two titles and could have won a third if it wasn’t for that Achilles injury.
Then he went to the Nets with Irving and Brooklyn was instantly labeled as another super team. And that was before they added Harden in a trade during the season.
Durant is going to wind up being one of the greatest players in NBA history. That he has played with great teammates shouldn’t diminish his legacy at all. All great players have played with great players. That’s how you win championships. That’s not hard to understand.
But for some reason in this social media-crazed world where every person feels like they have a platform to have their opinion heard, Durant has taken on a lot of unjustified criticisms for his career choices. It’s laughable, really, because what he’s been doing since Day 1 has been incredible.
Now, a huge game by KD and a win tonight would only make it a 3-2 series lead but it feels like it could be one of those times where Durant reminds all the dummies out there just how much of an absolute force his is on the court. Us smart people know he has been that ever since he led a young Oklahoma City team to the Finals back in 2012. But yeah, the trolls need to be reminded.
I have to think Durant has one of those special nights tonight and I can’t wait to watch it.
Quick hits: Brady’s awesome DM to Godwin… Wild video of a 98 mph fastball… Nate Diaz’s great advice… And more.
– Bucs WR Chris Godwin shared an awesome DM he got from Tom Brady moments after he signed with Tampa.
– You need to see this behind-plate video of Jack Leiter’s 98 mph fastball because it looks to be terrifying to face.
– Nate Diaz gave Leon Edwards some great career advice after their fight at UFC 263 and fans loved it.
– Gardner Minshew cut his beloved mullet.
– A young college baseball fan made a sweet grab of a home run ball and filmed the whole thing while he did it. So much swag.
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