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Back-to-back losses and a cratered defense didn’t dampen Kyrie Irving’s confidence. At least if the Nets star’s social media is any indication.
After Brooklyn suffered two stinging losses in Cleveland, they returned home to host Miami in back-to-back games on Saturday and again Monday. And Irving – recently returning from a seven-game hiatus for personal reasons – took to Instagram to say he wasn’t worried and neither should fans be.
“Don’t stumble. It’s a long journey. We will be on this stage. The stage where the best of the best meet. … You know. The main stage. Where those who can do. And those who can’t speak for those who do, ”Irving posted on Instagram.
“If you ride with us, great. Let’s dance. If not, you know you still want to talk about our greatness. “
Kevin Durant rang the bell, commenting on the message, “Talk about it king !!”
Brooklyn was on a four-game winning streak when Irving returned from his personal leave, but they dropped his first two games to the Scrappy Cavaliers upon his return.
Irving had 37 points in his first game and 38 more in the second. But Collin Sexton started opposite him at the point guard and lit the Nets for 42 points in the first contest.
In a separate Instagram post, Irving quoted Luis Marques as saying, “Don’t judge others without judging yourself. There is no strength without knowing yourself.
Speaking to reporters after Friday’s loss in Cleveland, Irving expressed similar confidence. The All-Star said the Nets “didn’t want to be the seesaw team, we don’t. We want to be the team that consistently dominates. And we will get there. And there is precedent to support his patience.
While some super-teams have come together quickly, like Kevin Garnett’s Celtics in 2007-08, most take a long time to mesh and hit full speed.
Brooklyn entered Saturday’s game against Miami at 9-8, the same record as the 2010-11 Heat in LeBron James’ first season through as many games. They then reached the final, then won the title the following season.
Irving himself had firsthand experience when his Cavaliers opened 1-3 on James’ return and just 5-7, before claiming eight straight wins en route to the 2015 final. Irving hit the iconic Game 7 winner the following season to offer a championship.
Even closer to home, the Nets opened only 3-10 after acquiring Garnett and Paul Pierce from Joe Johnson Nets in 2013-14. They were 9-19 before winning 11 of their next 14 and eventually reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Of course, the Irving Nets have even bigger goals: the main stage.
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