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There are very few NBA players who can truly relate to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. In terms of the pressure from fans, respect (and fear) from peers, the rollercoaster of praise, then criticism from the media. Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets is among those slim few who understand what it means to be a modern NBA icon.
And like James, Durant finds his season cut short, largely due to circumstances far beyond his control. The Boston Celtics had the final say in Durantās 14th season in the league, as they swept the Nets in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
While Durant came to Brooklyn in hopes of building a dynasty to defeat James and the Lakers, he had no idea he would only play 16 games with the promised āBig 3ā featuring James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
One thing James understands is that no season is guaranteed. Since winning the NBA title alongside Anthony Davis in 2020, the Lakers have looked like a shell of their former selves. Just as Lakers fans were quick to blame James for recruiting Russell Westbrook, Durant knew, as the biggest player on his team, that the blame would likely fall squarely on his shoulders.
Durant explained toĀ Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo SportsĀ that the recruitment process, however, is out of the playerās hands:
āI feel like thatās a narrative that [media created]. I donāt even think LeBron does that,ā Durant told Yahoo Sports. āHe might have input or know some information. But him saying [pointing left], āThis is who you should get.ā [Points right.] āThatās who you should get,ā I donāt think it works like that.
āIāve been around Steph, he doesnāt work like that. Let people do their jobs. Itās not on me to overstep what they do. Iām just here to support. If they need me to text or call somebody that may come, of course.ā
Despite pushback from Durant and even James though, it seems that theĀ Lakers front office wants it to be knownĀ that their stars are involved in roster building.