Kyrie Irving has always been one of the most polarizing yet fascinating figures in the NBA, and when he sits down for an exclusive interview, the basketball world listens. Recently, the star guard opened up about his time with the Brooklyn Nets and shared his thoughts on what could have been if he and Kevin Durant had never left the franchise. It was a reflective and candid moment from a player who, despite being misunderstood at times, is undeniably one of the most talented guards the game has ever seen. When asked about the “what ifs” surrounding the Nets, Kyrie didn’t hold back. He painted a vivid picture of the potential heights that Brooklyn could have reached had their core remained intact, a team that once promised to dominate the league with a combination of skill, versatility, and star power.
In the interview, Kyrie acknowledged that the Nets were built to be something special when he, Durant, and James Harden were all on the roster. While injuries, off-court issues, and various other factors prevented them from realizing their full potential, Kyrie emphasized that the team’s ceiling was as high as any in NBA history. He firmly believes that if both he and Durant had remained with the Nets, they would have established a dynasty, competing for multiple championships and rewriting the narrative of Brooklyn basketball. Kyrie pointed to the undeniable chemistry he and Durant shared on the court, describing how their games complemented each other’s in a way that few duos could match. According to him, their combined skill set, paired with Harden’s playmaking and scoring, created a team that had the ability to go head-to-head with any other superteam in the league, from the Golden State Warriors to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Kyrie was quick to acknowledge that the Nets, under their leadership, would have been perennial title contenders. He envisioned the team capturing at least two championships by now, had circumstances been different. “We were supposed to be that team everyone feared, not just for a year or two, but for a long time,” Kyrie said during the interview. He believes that the combination of offensive firepower, defensive versatility, and veteran experience was unparalleled. While the 2021 playoffs remain a haunting memory for Brooklyn fans—especially with Durant’s iconic toe-on-the-line three-pointer against the Bucks—Kyrie is convinced that such heartbreaking moments would have only served as fuel for a stronger comeback. He stressed that the Nets, given the chance to run it back fully healthy, would have gone on to dominate the league, especially in the wake of several teams undergoing rebuilding phases.
The conversation also delved into how Kyrie felt about the culture they were trying to build in Brooklyn. He said that both he and Durant envisioned a winning atmosphere where players could thrive creatively and mentally, not just physically. According to Kyrie, the Nets had the potential to become not just champions but a franchise that could rival the Lakers and Celtics in terms of long-term prestige. He went as far as to say that if they had stayed, the Nets could have put Brooklyn on the map as the premier basketball hub in New York, overtaking the Knicks as the city’s team. This was more than just about winning titles for him—it was about creating a legacy and a standard of excellence that would influence future generations.
Kyrie did not shy away from acknowledging the setbacks that plagued their time with the Nets, including injuries and media narratives that often created division. He admitted that there were moments when he and Durant questioned whether the franchise had the right structure and support system to truly succeed. But despite those challenges, Kyrie believes that the core talent was there, and with the right adjustments and patience, they could have overcome those obstacles. “We had all the tools,” he said. “We just didn’t have the time or the opportunity to show it consistently.”
The interview also touched on how the league might have looked different if he and Durant had remained in Brooklyn. Kyrie suggested that some of the current powerhouses, like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, might not have had the same paths to success if the Nets were at their peak. He spoke about how matchups against teams like the Warriors and Bucks would have become instant classics, with Brooklyn potentially emerging as the dominant force in the East. He envisioned an alternate reality where the Nets were playing in the NBA Finals year after year, challenging teams like the Suns, Nuggets, and even the Lakers for supremacy.
Kyrie also brought up the personal connection he had with Durant during their time together. He described Durant as not just a teammate but a brother with whom he shared a deep mutual respect. Both players are known for their love of the game and their dedication to mastering their craft, and Kyrie believes that this shared mindset would have been the foundation for multiple championships. “KD and I, we know what it takes,” Kyrie said. “We’ve both been there. We know the sacrifices, the mental toughness, and the focus required to win at the highest level. Together, we could have built something unstoppable.”
There was also a sense of regret in Kyrie’s voice when discussing how things ended with the Nets. While he didn’t dwell on the past or assign blame, it was clear that part of him still wonders what might have been. He admitted that leaving Brooklyn was not an easy decision, but circumstances both on and off the court led to a crossroads that he and Durant ultimately chose to navigate differently. Kyrie expressed nothing but love for the Brooklyn fans, saying that their support and energy were unmatched, and he wished they had been able to reward them with a championship.
Looking ahead, Kyrie acknowledged that while his journey with the Nets is over, the lessons he learned during that time have shaped him into the player and person he is today. He remains confident in his ability to compete at the highest level and believes that the story of his career is far from finished. However, he couldn’t help but reiterate that if he and Durant had stayed in Brooklyn, they would have left a legacy that might have gone down as one of the greatest eras in NBA history.
When asked to summarize the list of things the Nets would have achieved if he and Durant never left, Kyrie was direct: multiple championships, a cultural shift in New York basketball, a dominant era of highlight-reel performances, and a team that inspired both current players and the next generation. He firmly believes that the Nets could have set a new standard for superteams, proving that talent, chemistry, and resilience can create something extraordinary. In his mind, Brooklyn had all the ingredients—it just needed time to cook.
The interview ended on a reflective yet hopeful note, with Kyrie expressing his gratitude for the experiences he had in Brooklyn and the bond he shared with Durant. While the reality is that both players have moved on to new chapters in their careers, the thought of what could have been will always linger for fans and for Kyrie himself. His words serve as both a reminder of the fleeting nature of opportunity in professional sports and a testament to the enduring belief that great teams, when given the chance, can achieve historic greatness. For Kyrie, the Nets’ potential remains a story of unfinished business—one that will live on in the imagination of basketball fans for years to come.
