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Stephen A. Smith thinks Kevin Durant should regret his Nets decision: 'Kyrie Irving betrayed you'

It’s easy to forget about all the drama that plagued Kevin Durant’s final season with the Golden State Warriors. That was always going to happen with time. But it hasn’t necessarily been the fresh start he was hoping for with Brooklyn either.

It’s gotten to the point where ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is already prepared to tell Durant that his decision to leave Golden State was a huge mistake.

Durant, who was coming off an Achilles injury, signed with the Nets to team up with Kyrie Irving back in 2019. Brooklyn would eventually add James Harden in a trade. And on paper, the Nets had arguably the most talented core in the league. Fast forward to Tuesday night, though, and we saw two teams going in opposite directions. While the Nets are still without Irving, who refuses to get vaccinated, the Warriors are back to looking like an NBA power. Plus, Klay Thompson is close to getting added to the equation.

After watching the Warriors beat the Nets, 117-99, on Tuesday night, Smith couldn’t wait to hop on First Take and sound off about Durant’s decision.

Smith said:

“Kevin Durant, I’m sad for you, bro. You all alone. You have no help. And more importantly than anything else, you made the wrong decision by going to Brooklyn. … Kevin Durant made the wrong decision by going to the (Brooklyn Nets). He’s going to rue the day that he did that. … KD, you made the wrong decision, bro. And here’s why! Because you trusted Kyrie. Kyrie Irving betrayed you! Flat-out betrayed you.”

And sure, it’s easy to look at the one game — where the crowd at Barclays Center was chanting for the Warriors — and say that Durant messed up. If you ignore the behind-the-scenes turmoil, he left an easy path to a championship. But let’s not pretend that the Nets are out of position to contend. They’re currently third in the East (and a game out of the top seed) with Harden struggling and Irving missing indefinitely.

One loss to his old team isn’t enough to make Durant regret the decision. Now, if he has to watch Golden State win another championship this summer, then it’ll be tough to disagree with ole’ Stephan A. on that one.

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