When the Nets put their Massive 3 collectively, they did so with the hope that their trademark attribute could be profitable.
As an alternative, their first full season collectively — particularly what’s now left of it — has largely been outlined by uncertainty.
There was loads of it recently, with the newest dose coming Tuesday when a Bleacher Report story depicted an sad James Harden — pissed off with Kyrie Irving being a part-time participant, upset with coach Steve Nash’s inconsistent rotations and “not having fun with” life in Brooklyn — which opened the door to him leaving by way of an opt-out this summer time.
However the Nets gained’t be listening to any gives for Harden forward of the Feb. 10 commerce deadline, ESPN reported Wednesday, including that the pending free agent has insisted to possession and administration that he's dedicated to staying and profitable a title with the franchise — regardless of not but signing an extension.
“I feel James is pleased to be right here, I simply suppose it’s irritating proper now as a result of we haven’t performed nice basketball, we’ve had a variety of accidents, a variety of sickness, a variety of guys out and in of the lineup, a variety of chop and alter,” Nash mentioned Wednesday earlier than a 124-118 loss to the Nuggets. “So that may be irritating for certain to not have that form of consistency to construct on. We haven’t had our greatest performances. We’ve had a number of, however ever for the reason that COVID return, it’s been very let’s say common basketball general. We've greater expectations and it’s irritating, however I feel James is pleased right here for certain.”
Harden, who sat out Wednesday’s loss with left hamstring tightness after being a late addition to the damage report, can earn extra money by ready till this summer time to signal an extension with the Nets. However till he really places pen to paper, rumors of a possible reunion with ex-Rockets GM Daryl Morey in Philadelphia are unlikely to go away.
It’s hardly the one little bit of uncertainty surrounding the Nets lately, all of which has muddled the query of simply how good they are often.
There may be additionally the well being of Kevin Durant and Joe Harris — Durant out with a sprained MCL and never anticipated again till after the All-Star break late subsequent month, and Harris nonetheless sidelined by November ankle surgical procedure, with a gradual restoration that has confronted some setbacks and led to getting a second opinion this week.
Then there's Irving, who continues to be solely seven video games in to life as a part-time participant due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine and lack of ability to play dwelling video games due to native mandates. It requires changes each for him, adapting to a brand new function and schedule, and for the Nets as they attempt to steadiness rotations whereas having Irving out and in of the lineup.
“Once we concentrate on course of and the duty at hand, it alleviates a variety of the distraction and alleviates losing time serious about who’s not obtainable tonight or what the issues that we’re going through are,” Nash mentioned.
The Nets at the moment are 2-4 since Durant went down together with his knee damage. They may start a difficult five-game highway journey on Saturday, with Irving at their disposal, and Nash mentioned he was “hopeful” to have Harden again as nicely.
Harden has been leaned on for heavy minutes — he was second within the league averaging 37 minutes per recreation getting into Wednesday — which Nash mentioned he was acutely aware of.
“We want to shield him extra however he’s a competitor, he needs to be on the market so we attempt to have our little tug of conflict,” Nash mentioned. “I feel that’s why at occasions we prefer to ask him to overlook video games so he can regenerate and be a bit of bit safer so far as being able to go when the playoffs start.”
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