Though two-thirds of the Brooklyn Nets’ Big 3 were available for Sunday afternoon’s showdown against the third-seeded Bucks in Milwaukee, Kevin Durant appeared to take the first half on as a personal challenge.
Kyrie Irving, in short spurts, proved as always that he’s an excellent running mate. The story of this contest, though, has been Durant vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo at half.
Neither has been stopped. Neither has any intention of stopping.
Antetokounmpo, originally questionable for this game due to an ankle issue, has barely been touched through 24 minutes of action, torching Brooklyn’s bigs for 20 points in 15 minutes.
Durant? He’s attempted to answer that bell all by himself, putting up 18 in an impressive 20 minutes of his own.
The scoring has come in all varieties. One-on-one attacks, from the three-point line to the post? Durant’s got that packed.
not m̶a̶n̶y̶ any others who can do this pic.twitter.com/HHUz6jEbEv
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 2, 2021
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is taking on the Milwaukee Bucks by himself.
Running the break all by himself and taking it to the cup in transition?
In case you thought Durant would abandon that element of his game in the name of health and safety, you thought wrong.
K gonna take this one himself @KDTrey5 ▫️ #BrooklynTogether pic.twitter.com/tBnK1Uu0cR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 2, 2021
At the half, Brooklyn trails this road challenge against a full-strength Bucks squad 62-59, through no fault of KD’s.
The world loves to dissect the Nets’ chances in the east by arguing that they’ll be unable to find their footing in the playoffs if all three members of their Big 3 don’t establish chemistry beforehand.
What the world is forgetting, though, is that any one of the Nets’ Big 3 can dominate playoff teams all by themselves, if need be. On another day, Kyrie could be cooking the Bucks. James Harden could easily drop the pretense of facilitating and take down Khris Middleton and Co. from the perimeter.
If you’re worried about something tangible (eg. Giannis’ easy ride on Sunday), then by all means, make your case. But if you’re nervous about the Nets’ Big 3 pulling together when they don’t even really have to, miss us with that.
If need be, Durant can simply dominate solo. Against anyone.
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