WORDS OF WISDOM
Durant doling out advice from sideline
The Nets will take whatever small steps and minor contributions they can get from Kevin Durant for the time being, whether it’s hoisting a few shots without leaving his feet away from his teammates in the gym or sharing bits of advice from the bench during home games.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson offered a broad smile when asked about both scenarios concerning his injured $164 million superstar after practice Wednesday in Brooklyn.
“I just like hanging out with him and watching that ball just go in every time,” Atkinson said. “It’s amazing. It’s just a thing of beauty watching him shoot.
“It’s great having him out there. He’s out here the whole practice and obviously got some form-shooting in.”
Durant, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the playoffs in June with Golden
State, reiterated last week he doesn’t expect to play this season.
That prognosis at least eliminates Atkinson and Durant’s teammates from having to provide daily updates on his progress.
“I can neither confirm nor deny how Kevin Durant is looking. The FBI agent that is [general manager] Sean Marks will show up at my crib,” Spencer Dinwiddie said jokingly.
“I think what [Durant] said is the best thing: Don’t expect him back,” Atkinson added. “That’s kind of where we are ... I don’t want to give you any information that says, ‘Oh, he’s this far,’ and I’m wrong.”
In the interim, Durant will continue to methodically go through his rehabilitation, while also acting as a well-compensated de facto assistant coach — providing in-game observations and advice to his teammates from the bench, for now just during home games. The YES Network has shown multiple instances of Durant speaking to fellow freeagent import Kyrie Irving and others during play stoppages.
“He gets in our coaches’ huddles, especially when it gets tough,” Atkinson said. “I think he picks his spots, when to say something.
“He’s pretty quiet, but when he has to say something he’ll step up in the film room or in a timeout. He’s just got a really good feel for that. I could see someone coming in and being loud and boisterous. He could be that guy. He has every right to be that guy with his knowledge, but he’s just struck the right chord, the right balance of interjecting himself.”
Durant will not be with the Nets (3-4) when they embark on five-game road trip beginning
Friday in Portland. While Irving is averaging 31.7 points per game in his absence, Durant is doing what he can to contribute in any way possible while working on his recovery.
“The great thing about Kyrie and Kevin, they’re all about basketball,” Atkinson said. “From my perspective, maybe I’m not attuned to the outside world as much and the drama — I don’t read enough — but in this environment they are two guys that are obsessed with the game. And I mean obsessed in the best sense.
“That’s the interaction I have with them. I think that’s their comfort level, too. I think that’s when it seems like they’re happiest, when they’re in this environment and talking ball. And not just the Nets, but talking about the league or shot selection or in the film room. … It’s basketball, that’s their comfort zone, that’s where their heart lies. That’s an easy one for me and for them.”