Opinion
In the modern world of sports that we are living in, player power has never been so controlling and demanding as it is today.
Look at the Lakers for example with LeBron James. Regarded as the greatest of all time by some, his voice gives him a position where decisions can be made with his influence.
He was the driving force in helping acquire Russell Westbrook, a move which has ended up as a catastrophe.
Shift focus to Brooklyn and a similar scenario has played out over the past couple of years.
Approaching free agency at the end of June 2019, Kevin Durant agreed to join the Nets despite the franchise knowing he would miss the first season with an ACL injury.
With his power and influence, he was able to attract superstar Kyrie Irving to join and form a dominant duo, or so it seemed.
With these two acquisitions, Brooklyn was expected to challenge for the championship or at the bare minimum compete in the finals.
They were on the same boat as the LA Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joining forces, which have ultimately faced their own problems, proving that talent only gets a franchise so far.
There is no doubt that Irving is box-office entertainment when the 30-year-old is switched on and solely focused on basketball.
Despite that, everyone was well aware that for Irving, you have to take the good with the bad and it takes a patient temperament to handle the full package he brings.
Kevin Durant. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
His actions have taken a toll on the team, taking time off for refusing to take the vaccine on top of being banned for at least five matches earlier this week after sharing a link to an anti-semitic documentary.
Was it really the best idea to sign Kyrie? Knowing that he loves the spotlight and would need to adapt his game not only alongside Durant, but also James Harden was another disastrous decision.
The lack of game time for both Durant and Irving forced the Nets to put a band-aid over the wound and look to short-term solutions by signing players such as Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge who are both past their prime.
Then the whole Ben Simmons circus did no favours for the franchise trying to install some unity and momentum throughout last season, as players and coach Steve Nash was forced to constantly answer questions about the former Philadelphia stars’ injury problems.
The new NBA season is only 10 games old, but it is already clearly evident that in order for the Nets to succeed, they must have Simmons firing on all cylinders and improve his mental side of the game which is ultimately holding him back.
He was not brought in to shoot the basket from the arc, but rather be that defensive force he once was as well as contributing points in the paint and bringing his teammates into play using his physicality and IQ.
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
As if things couldn’t get any worse, the firing of Steve Nash who for many did not deserve the role due to his lack of inexperience, was the final nail in the coffin to provide confirmation that the hierarchy and management are inept and out of their depth.
Again, players such as KD had an influence on this which is not healthy for the franchise.
Nash was doomed right from the get-go. The 48-year-old did not have the right support crew behind him to get the best out of his playing squad.
Player power should be a factor in the NBA but not the extent to which they are controlling high-end decisions.
Look at the Golden State Warriors for example. Yes, they had an all-star roster which was always built for a dynasty, but it always had the team chemistry to go along with it which is something Brooklyn greatly lacks.
Even with the unnecessary controversy that Draymond Green has surrounded the Warriors, they still find a way to come together and play for each other.
A 4-6 start to the season isn’t the worse by any stretch, but they need to get their act together quickly if they want to have any chance of competing in the playoffs.
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