The Brooklyn Nets boasted of having one of the best rosters in the league. With stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden representing the franchise, big things were expected. However, all hell broke loose as Harden joined the 76ers and the Nets crashed out of the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Kyrie Irving certainly has been the center of attraction for the media for some time now. His controversial health decision which forced him out of home games was widely criticized.

Moreover, eminent analyst Stephen A. Smith believes he has not given enough to the Nets, and KD deserves better than Irving. Talking on ESPN, Smith bashed Irving, and he stressed how the right partner is needed to win.

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Smith said, “In order to win, you gotta pick the right partner. KD deserves better than what Kyrie has given him. Not what Kyrie is capable of, what Kyrie has given him. KD deserves better! There is no one who can refute that, no one.”

This is not the first time someone has bashed Irving for his performances this season. Although he has been decent, his failure to show up when it matters the most has been a talking point.

Is Kyrie Irving the problem for Kevin Durant?

There is no denying Kyrie is one of the most gifted players ever. However, his actions off-court and injuries have slowed down his growth.

The same can be said for the 2021-22 season for Kyrie. A trio of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving was expected to dominate the league. Harden left for the 76ers during the recent trade season and Kyrie’s injuries prevented the three from doing any major damage.

Despite all the controversies, Irving stepped up when Durant was out injured and the team needed a superstar on the court.

Irving averages 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this season. Although these stats might seem impressive, a lot more is expected from a player of Kyrie’s stature.

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Do you think Kyrie Irving can level up his game to help Kevin Durant to another title? Let us know in the comments down below.