Durant details possible role as a ‘small-ball five’ for Nets
NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving. Spencer Dinwiddie. Joe Harris. Caris LeVert. Kevin Durant.
If the Nets don’t blow it all up for James Harden, these five players could be on the floor together. Yes, that would mean Kevin Durant as a small-ball five, but he was quick to explain that’s not an emphasis in the game plan.
The emphasis, Durant said, lies in versatility, and in Brooklyn there’s a lot of it. It would be unrealistic to ask Durant to play a large chunk of his minutes at the center spot anyway. He’s never played consistent minutes there before and it wouldn’t make sense to start so soon after his Achilles rehab. DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen are penned into most of those minutes, anyway.
“As far as schemes and how I fit on the offense and defense, I think coach is going to use me in a variety of ways, especially as a small-ball five and four sometimes and bringing the ball up too,” Durant said in a conference call with reporters. “It’s more so where everybody can utilize their strengths. They can handle the ball. Anybody can bring it up, and guys are going to be switching on the defensive side of the ball. So, I think as the game goes and as it ebbs and flows, each player, I think guys are going to be playing different positions.
“On one possession, Kyrie might be the two, Caris might be bringing it up,” Durant continued. “So, you’ve just got to be ready for anything. Coach is just going to throw me out there and see how I respond.”
It’s been two days into full practices in Brooklyn, and head coach Steve Nash has one big job: figure out which pieces fit best together, and it’s far too soon to tell. The Nets, however, haven’t done much starters vs. reserves practice in camp so far. They’ve balanced the teams so everyone can get a feel for playing with one another.
“I couldn’t tell you what’s going to happen to the rotations yet, there’s a lot of competition for spots and minutes which is a positive as well,” Nash said. “It’s tough on a coach but it’s positive for our group and program but they are. They’re gaining connectivity which I always preach that familiarity that chemistry’s coming and so that’s something where I’ll say a few days in I’ve been really positive and excited about it.”
Players have described practices as “tough,” “intense” and “very, very highlevel.” It’s the worst-kept secret in Brooklyn — Nets players are competing not just for a spot in the rotation, but also a spot on the roster. Everybody wants to play on a championship contender, but the reality is there aren’t enough minutes to go around for such a deep cast of players.
“We’ve got such a talented group. You’ve got guys who can do multiple things on the floor with the basketball. It brings the best out of everybody, having Spencer and Caris going at it every day, Kyrie, myself going at it, DJ and Jarrett going at it every day,” Durant said. “That just breeds that competition. It’s a healthy competition. It’s not like guys are, you know, wanting another guy’s spot. It’s more so we want to push each other because we know it’s going to help with the end goal. So, it’s been healthy, it’s been good and guys are getting better.”
It’s still early into the truncated offseason, which precedes a two-game preseason before a shortened, 72-game regular season. Players have only recently cleared Phase 2 of the league’s amended health and safety protocol which lists strict guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On a team with championship aspirations, Durant said he’s excited for what the future holds.
“I’ve never been one to predict anything, but I like our chances of going out there and competing at that high level every single night. And as tough as that is in this league, I think we’re capable of doing that,” he said.