After the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bruce Brown was tempted to challenge the Boston Celtics. Teammate Kevin Durant didn’t like that at all.
“The fact that they don’t have Robert Williams is a huge thing. We can attack Daniel Theis and Al Horford on the inside,” Brown said when asked about a preview of the upcoming playoff series against the Celtics. By beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the play-in tournament, the Nets secured their ticket to the playoffs as the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, now against the second-placed Celtics.
Durant was irritated by this statement and countered: “These guys can do the same as Williams.” He then added: “We respect our opponents. We don’t have to talk about what we’re going to do against them. I didn’t like that. We don’t have to say shit like that. Let’s just go out there and play.”
Game-wise, Durant was probably very pleased with Brown, who scored 18 points (8/19) and put on an all-around performance with 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Brown has been noted multiple times in a ball distribution role, starting a 4-on-3 after a pass from Durant or Kyrie Irving should either Superstar double down.
Durant also had praise for his teammates. “To beat this team, we had to get into the zone, put boxouts and run back to the defense,” he said, emphasizing the performance of the Big Men on the team: “Drummond and Claxton did an excellent job and offered themselves up front. You talks about how I defended the ring, but Nic set the tone with five blocks. I was just helping him with that.”
Kevin Durant as Playmaker: “To a higher level”
Durant also received extra praise, thanks to Irving, who was the man of the game with 34 points (12/15 FG) and 12 assists. “I don’t know if many 2.08 meter players do what he does”, said Irving with a smile on his lips: “As often as he has the ball in his hands and creates throws for himself and others. He looks over the defense and when he passes the ball like he did today, it takes our game to a higher level.”
Immediately after the game, while still on the field, Irving was asked what he saw as the reasons for the Nets’ success over the past few weeks. “We’ve been through some ups and downs but stayed together,” the 30-year-old replied.
Irving, who played for the Celtics from 2017 to 2019, also ventured a look at the upcoming series between the two teams: “I know this team very well and they know us very well, it’s going to be a good back-and-forth. Once the ball thrown in the air, you’re going to see some spectacular basketball.”
“Coming up against Kyrie in a one-game situation like March Madness is always difficult,” said Kevin Love, who played with Irving for the Cavaliers. “There are just times when he comes on the field and totally outdoing himself, and that’s why he’s a future Hall of Famer.”