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Kevin Durant makes his feelings known about Kyrie Irving’s return on his podcast

ByJordanna Clark|
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets converse during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on April 27, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 27: Kevin Durant #7 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets converse during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on April 27, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The holiday season has treated the Brooklyn Nets well. James Harden led Brooklyn to two wins in Los Angeles, Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge cleared the health and safety protocols, and now Kyrie Irving will get to practice with the team for the first time during the regular season.

Nets fans are highly anticipating Irving’s return, but they’re not the only ones. While in quarantine, Durant recorded a new episode of his “The ETCs” podcast with Eddie Gonzalez. He talked about topics ranging from playing NBA 2K22, going to Steph Curry’s postgame celebration after he broke the 3-point record, and Irving re-joining the Nets as a part-time player.

After it looked like maybe Brooklyn would have to navigate the remainder of the season without Irving, Shams Charania took the NBA world by storm when he reported that Irving was set to begin the process of returning to the Nets.

KD’s been the outright leader for Brooklyn so far, but during away games, he and James Harden will soon be getting a lot of help from Irving. On the podcast, Durant made his feelings clear about Irving’s return.

Kevin Durant comments on Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets.

During the beginning of the season, there wasn’t much news about Irving. He went on Instagram Live back in October to explain his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine, but other than that, his camp had been relatively silent.

Charania reported that KD and Irving had been in communication about the point guard’s fit in the lineup and the Nets’ recent games, but that was it.

Steve Nash made it clear that he and the team would welcome Irving back, but that it wasn’t something that Brooklyn was sitting around waiting for. There wasn’t much use in continually talking about something that may not even happen.

Now that there’s a plan in action for Irving to re-join the Nets, and with the extra time that Durant had on his hands, the MVP candidate went into depth about Irving’s return.

For a decision that seemed so complex, it was a no-brainer according to KD. He said that adding Irving back into the lineup makes Brooklyn “so much better as a team.” 

Durant decided to leave Golden State in 2019 to team up with Irving on the Nets. He spent his first season out recovering from a torn Achilles and has only played in a total of 27 games with Irving.

KD said that during the first few months of the 2021-22 season, he and Irving checked up on one another “outside of the game.” Now, the two will have the opportunity to play basketball again, together.

While Sean Marks and the rest of the organization have been criticized for allowing Irving to re-join the team as a part-time player, Durant’s happy about it.

For the first time in over six months, he’ll soon get to share the court with his friend once more.