Nets’ Kevin Durant ‘shocked’ by Steve Nash’s exit as head coach

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star ahead Kevin Durant mentioned he was “shocked” when he discovered that Steve Nash was out as head coach, a call that was introduced earlier Tuesday by the group as mutual.

“You are at all times shocked when a transfer like this occurs,” Durant mentioned after a 108-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday evening. “But it surely’s regular within the NBA. It is about preparing for the sport tonight. It is a fast flip at all times within the league, particularly throughout the season. You’ve got obtained follow, video games arising, so you possibly can’t suppose an excessive amount of about it. It was on my thoughts for a bit bit at the moment.”

Durant mentioned he discovered concerning the information relating to Nash round 1:15 ET after he awoke from a pregame nap and watched ESPN. Nets basic supervisor Sean Marks mentioned earlier than the sport that no gamers had been consulted earlier than the choice, which is notable, provided that Durant reportedly requested for Nash and Marks to be fired over the summer time earlier than rescinding his commerce request earlier than the season.

Durant developed a strong relationship with Nash throughout their time with the Golden State Warriors, when Nash served as a participant improvement marketing consultant. He was requested why he felt it did not work out for Nash in Brooklyn.

“A whole lot of stuff,” Durant mentioned. “We did not have a wholesome staff. We simply did not play properly. And that is what occurs within the league. S— occurs. That does not take away from Steve’s basketball IQ, how he teaches the sport. I do not suppose that takes away from something. It simply did not work out.”

Durant mentioned he has not but spoken to Nash because the transfer turned official. With Jacques Vaughn serving as interim head coach, the Nets fell to 2-6 after Tuesday’s loss. Durant has mentioned a number of occasions over the previous 12 months, and reiterated once more Tuesday evening, that he did not really feel that Nash was dealt a good hand given all of the circumstances surrounding his two-and-a-half-year tenure.

“Let’s be actual, we’re professionals, we’re veterans. We had a tricky begin,” Durant mentioned when requested if he was consulted concerning the choice beforehand. “It was a rocky 12 months final 12 months, rocky summer time. We knew that everyone was being evaluated.

“That is simply how it’s within the league. So I preferred working with Steve. I like working with the teaching employees. It was a curler coaster the previous couple of years, however the core of it — basketball — is one thing all of us like to do. So no matter who the coach [is], whatever the circumstances, you continue to obtained to return to work. So I loved coming to work with Steve.”

Durant was requested if he felt there was an excessive amount of volatility across the staff for it to win over time.

“That is the NBA,” Durant mentioned. “Everyone obtained volatility if you wish to have a look at it. It is only a matter of — outdoors individuals may have a look at what we do as greater than what it’s, however we come to work each single day. Guys have requested for trades earlier than, coaches get fired, we’ve got disagreements in our locker room, it occurs within the NBA. However on the finish of the day all of us got here to work. It simply did not work out on the ground.”