A gets jump-start
Rehabbing star now shooting pull-up jumpers
Kevin Durant continues to make progress as he rehabs from the ruptured Achilles tendon that has robbed him of the 2019-20 NBA season. After Nets practice on Tuesday, Durant did drills with team trainers where he practiced the patented pull-up jump shot that has been responsible for a good chunk of the points he’s scored in his career.
“I think he attacks the rehab like he attacks his game,” Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “One of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen, that’s behind the scenes. The resiliency, the stickwith-it mentality when you’re going through a rehab like that is impressive.”
Durant ruptured his Achilles as a member of the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. He then left the Warriors in a sign-and-trade and joined the Nets on a four-year max deal over the summer.
The Nets have maintained that Durant, despite his clear injury progress, is out for the season, and Kyrie Irving’s aggravation of a shoulder injury that now requires surgery all but put the nail in the coffin for a return this season.
Durant may not be on the floor, but he has attacked his rehab like a max player.
“He’s in here every single day, doing his rehab and it seems like everything is going really well,” Joe Harris said on Tuesday. “He seems to be moving well, but I think a lot of it is a credit to him and being consistent being in here. It’s just one of those things where he could probably do his rehab wherever he wants. But he’s here with our staff and he’s been super diligent and disciplined with it.”
He’s putting the work in now, so he can reap the benefits next season.
Durant’s return will change the complexion of the team’s capabilities next season. He is one of the best scorers in the NBA — with four scoring titles to show for his abilities — and his presence on the Warriors changed what they were able to do on the defensive end as well.
Durant has averaged more than 27 points in six different seasons in his career, including two seasons averaging 30 or better. The Nets want him healthy so they can incorporate him into the game plan.
“There aren’t a lot of practice reps with the guys that play more minutes. Right now he’s playing a little bit more with sort of the extra-work group,” Harris added. “But he has practiced with us, and I’m sure he will going forward. So it’s always good to be on the floor with him.”