As we approach the start of the NBA preseason, Kevin Durant and the Nets coaching staff begin to plan how they will utilize the former Thunder and Warriors in what will be their debut season with the Brooklyn franchise.
This Wednesday Durant addressed the media, and among his statements revealed that he hopes to play minutes as a center this season. “I think the coach is going to use me in various ways, especially as a 5 or 4 in small quintets,” KD said. “I’m also going to raise the ball, so I have to be ready to fulfill any role. The coach is just going to throw me on the court and see how I respond.
These comments from Durant are not surprising, as Nash had declared a few weeks ago that he intended to use his player’s versatility in all positions. Apparently the rookie coach will have small ball as one of your favorite systems. Such a lineup, with a center as versatile as Durant, would help the Nets get out of transition quickly and open the floor on the offensive side.
After missing the entirety of the 2019-20 season, we are likely to see a rested and motivated Durant, eager to re-deploy all of his talents. A few days ago the optimism with which he is preparing for the new campaign told us.
Durant has also commented that Steve Nash encourages positionless basketball. So he remarked that he would not be surprised to see Kyrie Irving as guard while Caris LeVert carries the ball.
Regarding a forecast for next season, Durant is also confident and feels surrounded by the right players. “We have champions on this team,” he said. “We have guys who have been in playoff races, they have been in a seventh game, so it is always important to have so much experience and knowledge within the group. We’ll see where we go from here. “
(Cover photo by Mike Lawrie / Getty Images)
