All eyes are on Kevin Durant.
With Brooklyn being the championship favorites, their hopes of even making it to the Eastern Conference Finals are now in jeopardy.
James Harden went down in Game One after re-inuring his hamstring. Even then, the Nets were able to go up 2-0 – grabbing two wins at home, but now, a week later, it’s a completely different story. The series is tied 2-2 and Kevin Durant is without both of his co-stars – James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
Status on Kyrie is not known yet, other than his x-rays were negative which is a good sign. But, he was seen leaving the arena in crutches and a walking boot… it’s pretty safe to say that Kyrie will most likely be done for this series. The Nets only hope is that James Harden can make a return at some point this series.
Everyone knew that the only thing that could hold back this loaded Nets team was injuries and that’s exactly where we are right now.
Kevin Durant on his own
For nearly all of Durant’s career he has had some sort of co-star there to help him out. While he has always been the best player on any team he’s been on, KD has still had another all-star level player or two that was there to help him out. So, the spot Kevin is in now is definitely unfamiliar.
While the Nets still have a decent roster, they have no other players that can create their own shot and provide a threat offensively.
KD is without a doubt going to have to give the Bucks 40+ if they want any chance at winning. He’s going to need to take 30 shots. He is the Nets offense without Kyrie and James on the floor.
What to expect from KD
Like I said, this is an unfamiliar spot that Kevin Durant is in… So it’s hard to tell how this will play out.
This may be a turning point in Durant’s career to prove that he could take down an amazing team by himself, Or… it could prove that just like any of the other all-time greats – you need at least one other co-star to win.
With the Nets headed back to Brooklyn for Game 5 – I can see Durant taking over this game and winning it for them. As for the rest of the series, I do not see the Nets winning if Kyrie or James don’t return at any point. There is just no way the Nets can beat the Bucks without them.
It would be a miracle if Durant is able to pull this off and win the Nets this series.
