Kyrie Irving shares Nets team-up was planned before Kevin Durant's Achilles tear

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant joined nan Brooklyn Nets up of nan 2019-20 season. While nan 2 stars person agelong been friends, galore hoops fans were shocked by nan latter's determination to time off nan Golden State Warriors -- wherever he had plentifulness of success.

The brace played good together, however, injuries and a assortment of off-the-court issues prevented them from bringing nan franchise their first NBA title. Irving precocious discussed nan determination to subordinate nan Nets, revealing that nan duo really planned nan move anterior to Durant tearing his Achilles tendon successful nan 2019 NBA Finals.

"KD had conscionable tore his Achilles successful nan Finals," Dallas Mavericks defender Kyrie Irving stated Tuesday. "Me and him were readying connected doing things to spell to Brooklyn. I don't cognize immoderate of you guys that would still instrumentality it retired pinch 1 of your friends that tears their Achilles and hold a twelvemonth and a half for them to get healthy, but I'm that dude. I'm not astir to time off K retired location aft a torn Achilles and beryllium like, 'nah (expletive that), we're not going to play together anymore'. I waited for my relative to get healthy."

Follow The Sporting News connected WhatsApp

Irving and Durant appeared to person nan Nets successful contention, peculiarly aft nan waste and acquisition that brought James Harden to nan organization. The trio appeared successful conscionable 16 games together, however, arsenic they were 8-2 successful 10 regular play matchups and 5-1 successful six postseason outings.

Their lone postseason tally together was derailed by injuries as Irving and Harden both missed 3 games successful nan Eastern Conference Semifinals arsenic nan Nets mislaid to nan eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks successful 7 games. The pursuing year, Irving opted not to return nan COVID-19 vaccine, which led to Harden requesting a waste and acquisition and yet being moved to nan Philadelphia 76ers.

More NBA: Kyrie Irving reveals he asked Nets for merchandise pursuing COVID-19 vaccine suspension