Fans of the Brooklyn Nets remember the beginning of the season, and not for good reasons.
The team got off to a dreadful start this year, with the team going 1-6 in the opening week and looking like a laughingstock among the rest of the NBA.
This was a team that had just gone through a very bad summer, with Kevin Durant demanding a trade that never materialized and serious questions about the future of the franchise.
Fast forward a couple of months and things are looking much different for the Nets, who are now the 4th team in the East with a 19-12 record, and a promising 6-game winning streak.
KD and Kyrie combined for 81 PTS tonight 🤯
KD: 43 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK
Kyrie: 38 PTS, 6 REB, 3 ASTGREATNESS 🤝 pic.twitter.com/HSpEZJcP1e
— Overtime (@overtime) December 19, 2022
What is causing this giant turnaround for the Nets?
Several things, of course, but no one can ignore the hard work and expertise of both Durant and Kyrie Irving.
On Sunday night, the Nets took down the Detroit Pistons, 124-121, and Durant and Irving’s fingerprints were all over that victory.
The two superstars combined for 81 points during the game, with Durant scoring 43 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks while Irving was good for 38 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
This pair is finally working terrifically together and the Nets are doing better than they have in a very long time.
Brooklyn Bouncing Back
This is the Nets team that fans have been hoping for.
The season is still quite long and a lot can change between now and the postseason but the Nets are in much stronger shape than they were just a few weeks ago.
The progressive help from the bench has helped, as has the hiring of head coach Jacque Vaughn (the Nets are 17-7 with him at the helm).
But the explosion of output from Durant and Irving is something to behold – and celebrate.
