When James Harden got here to the Brooklyn Nets, followers thought he was the lacking piece the workforce wanted.
They believed the addition of Harden was going to steer the workforce to new heights and will make them champions.
As an alternative, it didn’t work out that means.
Kyrie Irving was a member of the massive three, consisting of him, Harden, and Kevin Durant.
He just lately talked about how shocked he was when Harden requested out of the workforce.
“I used to be simply telling him ‘we’re about to win championships,’ then the following day he requested for a commerce. It shocked me. I understood although,” Irving stated, by way of Legion Hoops.
Kyrie on James Harden asking out of Brooklyn:
“I used to be simply telling him ‘we’re about to win championships,’ then the following day he requested for a commerce. It shocked me. I understood although.”
(by way of @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/IyN8NGWco3
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 23, 2025
Harden got here to the Nets within the 2020-21 season.
The Nets have been already one of many buzziest groups within the league due to the pairing of Irving and Durant, and Harden simply made issues higher.
They have been a workforce to look at within the East, and Harden’s inclusion made them extra thrilling.
Nevertheless, he wasn’t there lengthy.
He was with Brooklyn for simply 80 video games over two seasons, averaging 23.4 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and 10.5 assists.
When he left the workforce for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets have been beginning to fall into unhealthy form.
It wouldn’t be lengthy till Irving and Durant have been additionally gone, and Brooklyn has by no means recovered.
The workforce suffered a variety of issues, together with a number of accidents and points with the COVID pandemic.
They have been dealt a nasty hand and stay one of many greatest “what ifs” in league historical past.
What if the workforce stayed wholesome?
What if Irving didn’t sit out so many video games?
What if all three large stars stayed in Brooklyn longer?
Everybody had excessive hopes for the workforce, together with its gamers.
Sadly, they have been by no means in a position to ship on these hopes.
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