His transfer request? Kevin Durant says it had to do with the team’s poor preparation

Why Kevin Durant did he want to leave net this summer, before finally backtracking? In a long interview with the Bleacher Report, the winger explains that it was only basketball-related causes. And in particular the poor preparation of the team, under Steve Nash, in general.

“It was not difficult to ask for a transfer because it was purely basketball” he assures. “I went to see them to tell them that I didn’t like how we were preparing. I don’t like shootarounds, I like training. I needed more. I wanted to work more. Make me responsible. Take it out on me in the video session if it helps others. I wanted more exercises in training. »

“I had complaints this summer, and it wasn’t just about me, it was about how we were moving forward as a team. I want us to be respected in the world of basketball.”

Without naming him, Steve Nash is clearly targeted. The double MVP was too lax with his stars and his players in general? This is what emerges from the speech of Kevin Durant, who clearly prefers the approach of Jacque Vaughn.

“I didn’t feel any of that, and nobody was on that wavelength. This is the case of Jacque Vaughn. I had complaints this summer, and those complaints weren’t just about me, it was about how we were moving forward as a team. I want to be respected in the basketball world. I don’t want opponents looking at us and saying, ‘Oh crap, these guys are crap. This is not the kind of team I want to join. And when we play badly, you know who they’re looking at. That’s why I asked for a transfer. »

Clearly, something was broken with Steve Nash, yet hired because he had become close to Kevin Durant during his time at Golden State and his CV should allow him to be respected by Kyrie Irving.

Even though the Nets are coming off a nasty loss in Sacramento, Kevin Durant appreciates Jacque Vaughn’s approach.

“It’s fun working with these guys. It’s fun to work with Jacque. It’s fun trying to get the best out of myself to help others progress. I’m learning the game even more and I see different defenses every night. I never know how the opposing team will defend on me. It all helps me mentally as a player, to see things a little slower, to play a little slower. »

“I’m not one to tell an adult what they should or shouldn’t do in their life, or dissect their beliefs or what they think”

Steve Nash therefore takes it, indirectly, for his rank, and no doubt that the former leader of the Suns was not ready to lead such a group. But as the Nets recalled when parting ways with him, he’s faced an incredible number of problems since taking over, with injuries and Kyrie Irving’s numerous absences. As a leader, isn’t Kevin Durant also responsible for the team’s lack of consistency?

“I am not a leader? What does it mean ? he asks like this. “A lot of people say I’m not a leader because I didn’t tell Kyrie to get vaccinated. Lets go. Or because I didn’t criticize Kyrie when he left the team to live his life. I’m not one to tell an adult what they should or shouldn’t do in their life, or dissect their beliefs or what they think. »

For Kevin Durant, he is a leader because he is consistent on the field, night after night after night.

“All that bullshit like, ‘You gotta win before you retire and make sure your legacy is in order’, that’s bullshit to me. My legacy is based on what Cam Thomas learns from me and what he will take away from it, to help him when he is in his tenth year. That’s my heritage. What I brought to Andre Roberson, the confidence that I helped build when he was in the league. It’s my legacy. To be able to play with Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry and Kyrie and still be myself. It’s my legacy. This is who I am. That’s what I bring to the game. I can play with anyone, anywhere, anytime, and you know I’ll bring every day. This should be my legacy. »