Kyrie Irving Reacts to What Kevin Durant Said About Steve Nash

Kyrie Irving Reacts to What Kevin Durant Said About Steve Nash originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

When Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant teamed up in Brooklyn in 2019, the expectations were enormous. With Steve Nash later brought in as head coach and James Harden joining the mix in 2021, many believed the Brooklyn Nets were on track to form a dynasty. But despite the star power, the team fell far short of expectations, with the trio achieving only one playoff series win.

Between Irving’s off-court complications, injuries, and Harden’s frustration that led to an eventual exit, the group never found its rhythm. All three stars eventually requested trades, and Nash was fired just seven games into the 2022-23 season.

Now, years removed from the failed project, Durant has offered his perspective on what went wrong. Appearing on the Mind the Game podcast, hosted by LeBron James and Nash, Durant was asked directly by his former head coach about what went wrong in Brooklyn.

“I have just signed that deal. You had just signed a deal. I feel like we were secure, but everything else around us was going to [expletive],” Durant said. “We got players forcing trades… And I feel like your hands were tied a lot, because as a coach, you had to deal with so much. I think we didn’t get the full Steve Nash like I wanted.”

The clip, which has since gone viral on social media, garnered several reactions, including from Durant’s former teammate Irving. The 9-time All-Star, whose time in Brooklyn was often the most polarizing, quickly responded to the clip on X:

“lol I am gonna address this on my stream soon.”

lol I am gonna address this on my stream soon https://t.co/xAxBcCTln7

— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) July 16, 2025

Irving’s reaction immediately drew attention from NBA fans, especially given his own role in the team’s chaos. He infamously made comments about Nash after he was named head coach in 2020, claiming that he didn’t really see the Nets having a head coach, a remark that many saw as a slight toward Nash.

While both Durant and Irving have remained friends, it remains to be seen if Irving agrees with his former teammate's sentiment or intends to challenge it.

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Related: Kevin Durant Makes Thunder Admission 9 Years After Leaving

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.