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While the NBA’s abbreviated 72-game might seem to provide Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving the chance to play in all of the Nets’ games in 2020-21 despite both coming off of injuries that lead to surgeries, Steve Nash feels it’s “unlikely” either will play in every single game this season.
“It’s been such a layoff for both of them, and in particular Kevin with coming off one of the toughest injuries to deal with as a basketball player,” Brooklyn’s head coach said on a Zoom call Tuesday. “We have to be very careful with him and his adaptation process back into the game.
“Kevin’s done everything you could have ever asked to put himself in this position. He is truly a gift for all of us with not only his talent but his love for the game and the joy he brings in the building every day. Perhaps we have to protect him from himself in a way because he brings so much joy and passion to the sport. He’s so eager and hungry after such a long layoff in his prime. But he’s done all the hard work and he’s put himself in this position and now we have to make sure it’s a sustainable adaptation and he’s able to stay the course and play the long game.”
Irving has only played in 72 games in a single NBA season once. While Durant has logged a full 82 only once, back in 2009-10, he played in 72-plus games in eight of the 12 NBA seasons that preceded 2019-20.
But ever since he ruptured his Achilles, adjustments have become part of Durant’s norm — particularly back in the early stage of his rehab.
“Learning how to walk again, not walking and getting assistance in everything you do those first 3-4 months was tough,” Durant said over Zoom. “I’ve been through surgeries and injuries before, but the longest recovery I had was three months.
“The first stage of the Achilles was three months long and you couldn’t walk or run, you had to use a scooter. So, I think those milestones, learning how to walk, run and jump again, that’s underestimated. People don’t realize that. Achilles ligament is one of the strongest ligaments in your body, so for that to pop, you gotta build that up and it takes a while.”
Durant is a long way from that initial phase, training four to five days a week with Irving and others leading up to training camp. The next test for him is getting back on the floor for a game that counts for the Nets.
“I feel good,” he said. “Now I’ve got to see how I’ll feel in an NBA game again.”