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The Brooklyn Nets’ big three – Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons – are the ‘GREATEST failure in NBA history,’ says Stephen A. Smith, claiming ‘dysfunctionality spread like a virus’ under his watch
The once-famous big three Brooklyn Nets are the “greatest flop in NBA history,” according to Stephen A. Smith.
Kevin Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns early Thursday morning, just days after Kyrie Irving was traded to Dallas.
Now, only Ben Simmons remains in what will hardly be a source of comfort to scruffy Nets fans.
In ESPN First Take On Thursday, Smith claimed that the trident was the most disappointing in history, stating that “dysfunctionality swept through that franchise like a virus.”
“Yeah,” Smith said when asked if they were the biggest flop. “It’s not because they spent three and a half years there and only got one playoff series win, it’s because they made promises they didn’t keep, because dysfunction swept through that franchise like a virus.
Stephen A. Smith believes the former Nets Big Three have been a historically disastrous trio
Ben Simmons (L), Kyrie Irving (C) and Kevin Durant (R) hoped to bring a title to Brooklyn, NY.
‘He polluted the borough of Brooklyn, New York, let them down and left them hanging.
“And even though the players themselves end up going elsewhere, competing for championships, making money along the way, they ripped off the fan base.”
Though Smith clarified that he didn’t feel Durant was part of that particular group, believing the former OKC and Warriors star gave his all for the franchise.
I’m not going to accuse Kevin Durant of doing that because he was always ready to play, as long as he was healthy. He never cheated at the game.
Brooklyn looks set for a rebuild under first-time head coach Jacque Vaughn, who has Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and all four first-round picks traded from Phoenix.
For the Irving trade, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, one first rounder and two second rounders.
Joe Tsai’s franchise traded Jae Crowder to Milwaukee on Thursday, who was part of Durant’s deal, in exchange for two second-rounders.
Both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant left the Nets this week in blockbuster trade moves.
Simmons, who is far from beloved by the Nets fanbase, is the only player left.