The NBA world was shocked when Kevin Durant announced he would be leaving the Golden State Warriors and heading to the other side of the country to join the Brooklyn Nets. Nets fans celebrated, but at first, even head coach Kenny Atkinson couldn't join them.

Atkinson explained to Jackie MacMullan of ESPN that he didn't believe Durant had actually joined his team when he first heard the rumors:

“I [was] naturally skeptical,” Atkinson confesses now. Even when I saw it, I didn't believe it. Durant is going to leave Golden State? I just couldn't wrap my head around it.”

Obviously, adding Durant is an immediate franchise-changing move. Before sustaining a devastating Achilles injury in the NBA Finals, Durant easily looked like a top-three player in the league, and perhaps even the best. Atkinson couldn't believe his team stole a player of such caliber away from Golden State.

There is still a long recovery ahead for KD. He is predicted to miss the majority of next season, if not all of it. But his signing has already put Brooklyn back on the list of contenders when he's healthy.

Last season, Brooklyn made the playoffs as a sixth seed but got knocked out by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets lacked star firepower and were overwhelmed by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Fans hope Kevin Durant can change this narrative and bring a championship trophy to Brooklyn in the near future.