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Nets: Kevin Durant highlights from Brooklyn debut are amazing

By Jerry Trotta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Thomas Bryant #13 of the Washington Wizards as DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Brooklyn Nets and Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets look on during the first half at Barclays Center on December 13, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 13: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball against Thomas Bryant #13 of the Washington Wizards as DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Brooklyn Nets and Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets look on during the first half at Barclays Center on December 13, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Check out Kevin Durant’s highlights from his highly-anticipated Nets debut.

After an offseason filled with nonstop trade rumors and a coaching staff overhaul, fans in Brooklyn finally got to sit down and watch the Nets play basketball for the first time since they were bounced in the first round of the bubble playoffs back in August.

There normally isn’t much hype generated for a preseason game — let alone one for a consensus title contender — but this particular fixture was extra special for Brooklyn. After all, it marked the first time Kevin Durant would take the floor since inking a four-year, $164 million contract with the franchise during the 2019 offseason.

How did the Nets superstar fare in his first action following a year and half of Achilles rehabilitation? Well, he surely couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, blowing past a Wizards defender for a smooth baseline jam.

Back like he never left.

For the game, Durant finished with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists while shooting a respectable 41.6% (5-of-12) from the floor in 24 minutes of action. It was a promising display from the two-time Finals MVP, who’s been badgered with questions about whether he’d be able to return to the level he’d attained before the injury.

While that speculation is still pertinent, Sunday night was all about Durant shaking off the rust and getting that gargantuan monkey off his back (scoring his first points in a Nets shirt). It wasn’t a perfect debut, but he looked extremely nimble, especially on the defensive end of the floor.

This highlight sequence showcases some of Durant’s deadly offensive repertoire — both on the perimeter and in the post. However, we would point to his two blocked shots as his most impressive contributions, as they really underlined the strength of his Achilles.

We knew Durant, one of the most prolific scorers to ever grace the NBA, would still be able to get buckets at an elite level post-surgery. However, the most noteworthy takeaway from his Brooklyn debut, at least in our eyes, had to be him seemingly checking all of the lateral quickness boxes.

We don’t want to overreact after one preseason game, but if this performance was a sign of things to come, Nets fans will be in for a real treat in 2020-21.

Hot takes and speculation aside, it was so refreshing to watch Durant hoop again. The league is so much better off with him healthy and balling out.