Nets superstar Kevin Durant praised head coach Steve Nash for the job he’s been doing in his second season, as Chris Milholen of NetsDaily relays. Nash, hired in 2020, has pushed through a tumultuous season, which has included Durant missing time due to injury, Kyrie Irving‘s part-time availability and James Harden‘s trade request.
“I think he’s done a great job. The last two years, he’s been dealt a wild hand: injuries, trades, disgruntled players, guys in and out of the lineup, and stuff that he can’t control,” said Durant, his “disgruntled” player comment apparently referring to James Harden. “I felt like he’s handled it the best as he could.”
Nash spent 18 seasons in the league as a player, retiring in 2014. That career included eight All-Star appearances, though the former MVP never served as an assistant coach after retirement. Still, Brooklyn owns the seventh-best record in the East (44-38) and won four straight games to end the season.
There’s more from the Atlantic Division tonight:
- Knicks swingman RJ Barrett suffered a knee injury against the Wizards on Thursday, but Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link) hears it isn’t serious. New York ruled Barrett out for its finale on Sunday, calling it a right knee sprain. The 21-year-old raised his scoring average from 17.6 to 20.0 points per game this season, but his shooting numbers slipped from last year (44% to 41% from the field and 40% to 34% from deep).
- Michael Grange of Sportsnet examines how Raptors star Pascal Siakam reclaimed his place among the NBA’s elite players. Siakam finished the regular season, the best of his professional career, averaging 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. The 28-year-old also shot 49.4% from the floor and 34.4% from three-point range, leading Toronto to the fifth-best record in the East.
- Marc Berman of the New York Post explores the potential futures for each player on the Knicks, terming the roster as “broken.” New York failed to make the play-in tournament after a successful season last year, finishing the campaign on a disappointing note.
5th best record in the East?
Toronto is 5th in the east, not 6th.
Never been a big Quickley guy. Cause he didn’t show me he can run the point. Well he’s starting to grow on me. He also has a good connection with Obi1. Tonight —
Obi1 – 42 pts, 10 rebs
Quickley – 34 pts, 10 reb, 12 ast
In a win over Raptors. MSG just loved it
Randles time is UP. Hope he gets traded draft night. It’s best for everyone.
Don’t get why this syte. Only uses Berman to opine on the Knicks. Not only does he write lies and makes up facts. But he’s so Done and yesterday’s news…….
Knicks are rebuilding. That has always been the priority. Why would you go anywhere but there. How can a roster be broken. When 9 players are 21 and under. Are the Knicks not allowed to rebuild ….. Berman is senile .
Siakam is 28, not 27!