Kevin Durant Calls Out Nets For ‘Relaxed’ Effort vs Clippers

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, NBA
NBA Analysis Network

The Brooklyn Nets held the top spot in the Eastern Conference for much of the 2021-22 NBA season until a letdown performance in a 120-116 loss to a very shorthanded LA Clippers team pushed them behind the Chicago Bulls.

During the Nets’ loss to the Clippers, they managed to achieve a lead by as many as 13 points at one point. Brooklyn gave up a staggering 40 points in the fourth quarter and ended up getting outscored by 11 points—proving to be enough to lose.

Kevin Durant made it clear that after the game that he noticed his team ‘relaxed’ too much—expressing they entered the matchup with a ‘f—ed-up attitude’ expecting a comfortable win since the Clippers were without many key players.

“We just relaxed too much,” Durant said, via ESPN. “We get up 10, miss a layup or turn the ball over, and they get a fast break, give up a 3, straight-line drive — like coach [Steve Nash] said, we didn’t deserve to win this game. We came in here with a f—ed-up attitude. Thinking we were just going to walk into a W.

“It’s natural when a team is missing so many players,” Durant added. “They’re going through so much over there. [We] relaxed. You don’t think you could lose an NBA game like this. They’re missing how many guys? They’re playing guys that are up from the G League. Xavier Moon came in and hit some shots for them. Keon Johnson, James Ennis — they all made an impact I felt on the game, and I think we came in too chill to start.”

LATEST NBA NEWS: Kyrie Irving Speaks Out Amid Return To Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant feels as though the Nets squandered an opportunity with their loss to the Clippers. Many consider Brooklyn a championship favorite but the team needs to be locked in as a ‘collective’ unit—as Durant sees it.

“Hopefully a loss like this, it’s in your brain,” Durant said. “Go out there and understand what your job is as an individual and how you can be the best at that job and how you can bring it to the collective. It’s always about the collective. So if you ain’t feeling like s— after this game, then you got to look yourself in the mirror.”  

If things do not change quickly, Durant sees it coming back to haunt the Nets. He feels as though they need to get back to playing the ‘proper way’ and that ‘each possession’ needs to be valued once again.

LATEST NBA NEWS: Kyrie Irving Speaks Out Amid Return To Brooklyn Nets

“We’re going to continue to get our ass kicked if we don’t approach the game in the proper way,” Durant said. “It’s about the group. It’s about how we’re going to come out here and be the best that we can each possession.” 

The Brooklyn Nets return to action on Monday when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies—one of the NBA’s hottest teams. Kevin Durant would like to see a renewed focus from his team as a whole.

Rockets Defeat Cavs 117-103, Secure 5th Consecutive Win

The Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to five games with a 117-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers during Saturday’s NBA action, marking a significant

Donovan Mitchell Admits to Rushed Injury Return, Expects to Miss Time

In the wake of a disappointing loss to the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell expressed his decision to take an indefinite leave from

Bucks’ Khris Middleton Set to Return Against Suns After Injury

After a 16-game absence due to a left ankle sprain, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton will return to the court against the Phoenix Suns during