Sports
Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist
Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist- The two NBA stars have led their teams with dynamic scoring and playmaking. But they have alienated their teams with their selfishness and attitude.
The two NBA stars have shown they can help their team win with clutch shots and occasionally with defense. But they also have deserted their teams when they have needed them the most.
So how can James Harden and Kyrie Irving co-exist on the Brooklyn Nets when they have consistently allowed their negative habits to overshadow their All-Star talent?
Nets coach Steve Nash did not say much on those dynamics or anything else involving the harden trade because it wasn’t official. Neither did Nets star Kevin Durant, whose perspective matters for numerous reasons.
He has become the Nets’ top scorer and leader. He has remained close friends with Irving. He knows what makes Harden tick after playing together in Oklahoma City (2009-12) before Harden left for the Rockets for more money and a bigger role.
Through two NBA titles and two Finals MVP awards out of three Finals appearances with the Golden State Warriors, Durant mastered how to complement his All-Star teammates (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green) while still remaining one of the league’s top players.
Though Durant described his time with Harden in Oklahoma City as “fun”, I cannot see how the Harden-Irving pairing will be.
Unlike what Durant showed in Golden State, Harden and Irving have consistently failed to lead. They also have consistently failed to work with their star teammates.
Sure, Irving helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title partly after making a clutch 3-pointer against Golden State in Game 7. A little more than a year later, Irving requested the Cavaliers to trade him amid reported tension with LeBron James. He may consume a lot of oxygen in a room. But no one can question James’ talent and that his presence leads to team-oriented play.
Then, Irving wore out his welcome in Boston by alienating his younger, blossoming teammates. After missing 62 games last season in Brooklyn amid season-ending surgery to his right shoulder, Irving could not establish himself last season. This season, Irving showed promising signs with his play and chemistry with Durant before missing the past five games because of undisclosed personal reasons. The NBA has also investigated video that shows Irving violating the league’s protocols by attending his sister’s birthday without wearing a mask.
“I haven’t had an opportunity to know any new details about Kyrie’s situation,” Nash said. “I’ll just rely on the front office to learn more as we go. They’re the ones that I think are going to do the messaging on that front.”
Sure, Harden thrived with Durant in Oklahoma City, but he hadn’t fully blossomed into a star yet. Sure, Harden recorded three NBA scoring titles while leading the Rockets to three Western Conference Finals out of seven playoff appearances. Sure, Dwight Howard’s immaturity played a larger role in their dissolved partnership (2013-16). Sure, the Rockets might have won an NBA title if not for Chris Paul’s hamstring injury in Game 5 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals against Golden State. Sure, Harden and Russell Westbrook showed decent chemistry during their lone season last year.
Still, Harden bears responsibility for the Rockets’ Game 7 collapse against Golden State in 2018 that coincided with Houston missing 27 consecutive 3-pointers. Harden deserves scrutiny that both Paul and Westbrook took issue with both his high usage rate and his work habits. Though Harden had right to feel frustrated with the Rockets’ direction amid departures by an accomplished head coach (Mike D’Antoni) and general manager (Daryl Morey), he had no right to disrespect his teammates and break the safety protocols so openly.
“The (Harden) disrespect started way before – his approach to training camp, showing up the way he did, his antics off the court,” Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins said before Houston traded Harden. “It’s completely unfair to the rest of the guys in the locker room.”
That leaves the Nets with various questions to answer on how Harden will fit in their locker room.
The main one: How will two ball-dominant guards be able to coexist and not experience significant chemistry issues?
“That’s a great hypothetical,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “We can address that at another time.”
Because the trade is not official, Nash could not entertain how Harden and Irving would share ball handling duties. Or how Harden, Irving and Durant would carry the bulk of the scoring. Or how the Nets would absorb the depth they sacrificed in guard Caris LeVert, center Jarrett Allen, forward Taurean Prince.
But these are hypotheticals Nash will have to answer soon.
“Basketball is about playing together and being the best you can be,” Nash said. “So no matter who you are, it’s about finding that connectivity and balance within a team and trying to be greater than the sum of your parts. That doesn’t change no matter what your team looks like.”
To be clear, my skepticism about the Harden-Irving pairing does not necessarily have much to do with the Nets themselves.
Nets general manager Sean Marks has done a masterful job with collecting assets, building a culture and then making big-time moves. In today’s NBA, such moves are made after knowing directly or indirectly how the team would feel about it. The Nets could still win an NBA title or at a high level despite any tension between Irving and Harden. Besides, Irving or Harden could become the replacement for the other should Marks find it necessary to trade one of them later.
Just as he did during his 19-year Hall of Fame playing career, Nash knows how to inspire people around him and cement a team-oriented culture. Just as he did during his four years in Houston, D’Antoni knows how to elevate Harden’s game as a Nets assistant coach. Just as he did during his three years in Golden State, Durant knows how to fit in with other All-Stars while still remaining one of the league’s best scorers.
Nash, D’Antoni and Durant have have enough experience to know how well-intentioned ideas can lead to disaster.
Nash joined the Lakers in 2012-13 in hopes to win his first NBA title. Instead, he spent that season battling injuries, clashing with Howard over his attitude and unsuccessfully persuading Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to embrace D’Antoni’s offense that put less premium on post-up play. D’Antoni struggled managing those varying player agendas and personalities. Though he coached the Rockets to plenty of success, he also saw up close the tension that Harden had with Paul and Westbrook. Durant spent most of his time winning in Golden State, but he also experienced the occasional tension over the team’s offense, his pending free agency and Draymond Green’s personality.
Expect the experience with Harden and Irving to become much more difficult. Unlike Curry, Thompson and Green, neither Harden nor Irving has consistently shown their willingness to buy into a team concept. They mostly look for their own and only occasionally defer to others. They have shown decent defensive effort in big and small moments, but those times only happen sporadically. And they already have shown troubling signs this season that they don’t take the safety protocols as seriously as they should.
The result? Harden and Irving might help the Nets win some games and score a lot of points. But their pairing will disrupt the team’s culture and championship hopes. Both players have proven they can do wonders with the basketball. They have not shown enough evidence, however, that they can avoid spending their energy fighting over it.
@USA Today
Sports
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
Adron Homes Champions Sports Sponsorship and Talent Discovery with 7th Edition of Adron Games
After six successful editions, Adron Homes & Properties continues to play a pivotal role in the development of sports and talent discovery in Nigeria through its annual sporting event, the Adron Games. What began as a corporate wellness initiative has now grown into one of the nation’s premier platforms for identifying and nurturing young talents, while promoting physical fitness and community engagement.
The 2024 edition, themed “Fit to Be the Biggest”, marks the 7th consecutive year of Adron Games, further cementing the company’s commitment to the sponsorship of grassroots sports. With each edition, Adron Homes not only creates a space for corporate teams and individuals to compete but also paves the way for the next generation of athletes to shine on a national stage.
This year’s event, set to take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan from November 29th to 30th, brings even more opportunities for young athletes to showcase their abilities across a wide variety of sporting disciplines, including Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics, Table Tennis, Snooker, Shot Put, Long Jump, E-sports, and Tug of War. With two Nigeria’s Ex International, Daniel Amokachi and Mutiu Adepoju both legendary figures in Nigerian football serving as ambassadors, the games underscore the crucial role of sports in shaping lives and fostering unity.
Daniel Amokachi, while addressing the media at the event’s unveiling, emphasized the need for consistent support from businesses and brands to nurture talent in Nigeria. “Sports in Nigeria need more support from businesses and brands to help discover and nurture young talent. Through initiatives like the Adron Games, we’re able to uncover the next generation of stars while also promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Amokachi.
In line with Adron Homes’ strategic goals, Emmanuel Oladapo, Director of Sport Adron Homes and the Organising Department, shed light on the innovative developments and strategies being brought to this year’s games. During his speech, Oladapo emphasized the importance of preparation and structure in making this year’s Adron Games the most successful yet.
“We’re focused on ensuring that every aspect of this year’s games is elevated. From athlete development to team preparation, my team and I are introducing new strategies that will provide a more competitive and organized experience for all participants. We want to make sure the games grow bigger each year while also ensuring that they remain an important platform for talent discovery,” Oladapo stated.
He further highlighted a series of pre-event activities leading up to November, which have been designed to ensure that teams are fully prepared for the competition. These preparatory events, which include team training sessions, practice tournaments, and fitness camps, will help refine skills and foster teamwork among the athletes. “We want the teams to have ample opportunity to train, strategize, and perfect their game before the main event in November,” Oladapo explained.
As part of the unveiling, Oladapo also showcased the official team jerseys, which were presented to the respective teams. The jerseys, designed to promote team spirit and a sense of unity, reflect the vibrant and competitive nature of Adron Games. “These jerseys represent more than just clothing; they symbolize the hard work, dedication, and passion that each team will bring to the field. We’re proud to have created a look that inspires pride and excellence,” he added.
By investing in sports sponsorship, Adron Homes not only encourages a culture of fitness and wellness but also contributes to the larger goal of empowering youth and developing Nigeria’s sports industry. The company’s Group Managing Director, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has been at the forefront of these efforts, recognizing the transformative power of sports as a tool for positive change.
Mutiu Adepoju, speaking at the media briefing, echoed this sentiment, stressing the unifying power of sports and commending Adron Homes for their ongoing dedication to its promotion. “Sports is not only about fitness but also about unity and creating opportunities for the youth. Adron Homes’ commitment to this cause is invaluable in the continued development of sports in Nigeria,” Adepoju remarked.
As Adron Games 2024 approaches, the spotlight is once again on sports as a catalyst for talent discovery and community development, with Adron Homes & Properties leading the charge.
For more information, sponsorship, vendor registration and inquiries, please contact:
Mr Emmanuel Oladapo: 08100760100
Adron Sports Foundation: 08061594375
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