"Not everyone is going to do what...": Kyrie Irving's clapback at Kevin Durant

Heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, the big question was, "Can anyone compete with the Brooklyn Nets?" They had Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, along with a solid supporting cast. They were by far the top favorites in the betting market, with no other Eastern team seeming to be close. However, by the time the playoffs arrived, Harden had already forced a trade to Philadelphia, and a Nets team with a record of 44-38 finished seventh in the East, getting swept by Boston in the first round.

In recent days, Durant and Irving have publicly discussed what went wrong in Brooklyn. It all started with Durant on the Mind the Game podcast with LeBron James and Steve Nash, who was the coach of the Nets at the time.

"I feel like we [Durant and Nash] were in sync, with the same goal, trying to do something special. But I also feel that your hands were tied in many ways because, as a coach, you had to deal with too many things. I don't think we saw the complete Steve Nash as I wanted. Like you probably wanted... I had a good time. I really enjoyed my time in Brooklyn. I loved playing there, but too much was happening around those of us who were committed to the project. I felt that we were, but the rest weren't. It was weird."

Meanwhile, Irving, during a Twitch stream, talked about waiting for Durant to recover from his Achilles tendon rupture, mentioning that the Nets seemed to care much more about Durant than about him. Additionally, Kenny Atkinson, the former coach of the team, was also critically mentioned. This is what he said about his relationship with the franchise:

"I wish I had known them before, because they didn't want me just like that... Kenny Atkinson didn't want me just like that. The Nets didn't really want me. They wanted KD."

Irving also expressed surprise at Harden's trade—Harden had forced his way out himself—and said that receiving Ben Simmons in return, with all his physical issues, turned out to be a disaster. (At that time, Harden faced heavy criticism in the media and on social networks, but after a year, the perception changed, and it seemed like he was simply the first one to see what was coming and left in time). Irving, however, clarified that he has no issue with Durant, Nash, or anyone else in Brooklyn:

"KD and I are not feuding. I have no problem with Steve Nash. I am not in conflict with anyone, okay? It's not personal against KD, and even though he replied to me on Twitter saying he would have notifications turned on, I appreciate it, you understand? I appreciate the interaction. I just want to tell KD that I love him, you understand?... It wasn't perfect, but I can honestly say that I was aiming for a championship with my best friend. We had an amazing time. Sure, not everyone is going to do what you want them to do, and that happened to KD."

As for himself: "I can take responsibility for my actions and recognize that I wasn't always right mentally, spiritually, physically, or emotionally... So let me make that clear. I've played with many great players, but playing with KD was monumental. He is one of the best of all time. Obviously, we all have strengths and weaknesses... I'm doing my thing, he's doing his. Let's leave it at that."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "No todo el mundo va a hacer lo que...": El zasca de Kyrie Irving a Kevin Durant