The Brooklyn Nets brought in two superstar talents last summer in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving that penciled them in as strong contenders for years to come. However, Nets essentially considered this 2019-20 campaign as a redshirt season with the injury to Durant, so they did not have championship expectations this year.
Still, there is just something different about Brooklyn's aura this season. The positive vibe that last year's up-and-coming Nets team had did not carry over to this season's superstar-led iteration, which ultimately helped result in the departure of head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Per Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Nets shooting guard Joe Harris admitted that Brooklyn's culture changed when they brought in Durant and Irving in the summer:
Harris admitted coaching developmental players is different than managing stars.
“Dealing with a young, up-and-coming team is much different than coaching superstar players,” said Harris. “It’s a much different dynamic.”
Obviously, the Nets enjoyed a renaissance campaign last season when they made the playoffs after spending three consecutive seasons near the bottom of the league standings. Led by a cast of young studs such as All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, and Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn became one of the most exciting Cinderella teams in the NBA.
With the Durant and Irving signings over the summer, however, the team dynamic has undoubtedly been altered. While KD is still out and Irving has barely been on the court due to his own injuries, their presence around the team still makes an impact and changes the outlooks.
The Nets are in a transition campaign, and it still remains to be seen just how they will look like when the Durant-Irving era officially begins next season. Brooklyn is currently 28-34 on the season.
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