How big of a role did Kevin Durant have in the hiring of Steve Nash as Brooklyn Nets head coach? According to Durant himself, not a whole lot.
Speculation and controversy ran rampant on how Nash, who has never coached a basketball game at any level, was chosen as the head coach of the Nets over other coaches who some considered to be more qualified. Some cried foul and others pointed fingers at Durant and Kyrie Irving, who are the two biggest stars on the team.
Now, talking to the Joe Budden podcast on Saturday, Durant insisted he was not a deciding factor in the hiring.
“First of all, I didn’t pick the Nets coach,” Durant said. “We’ve got people in place that do that. I just supported it: Me and Kyrie. We’re always on the same page. He’s just a hooper. It doesn’t matter.”
While he may have not had any direct influence on the decision, his approval was certainly necessary. If Kevin Durant had not approved of the Steve Nash hiring, the Nets more than likely wouldn't have proceeded. While the team has people who are responsible for hiring team personnel, general manager Sean Marks has always said that his two superstars would have input in the process.
The Nets are currently in Los Angeles working out and training for the 2020-21 season while the playoffs are still ongoing. Durant missed the entire 2019-2020 campaign recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture he suffered in the 2019 NBA Finals.
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