Dallas Mavs’ Kyrie Irving Admits 'FOMO' About Brooklyn Nets Superteam With Kevin Durant, James Harden
DALLAS — When Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined forces by joining the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, the expectations were that two champion-winning superstars would be able to create something special. The expectations were raised even higher when they capitalized on a chance to trade for James Harden from the Houston Rockets.
Irving, who is now attempting to lead the Dallas Mavericks to success alongside Luka Doncic, was asked about how the situation unfolded with the Nets, and he admits there is some feeling of FOMO about what they could have been achieved in Brooklyn.
“We could sit here and play to what-if scenarios all day, bro,” Irving said. “But for me, even when James came to Brooklyn — and a lot of my peers, and a lot of my teammates I’ve played with — I’ve always told them that ‘This is bigger than just us being teammates right now, the present moment. You’ve got to do what is best for you.’
"And it’s unfortunate that me, James and KD are part of the NBA history’s ‘what ifs’ of just having a superteam and the expectations on us. And we did have a few good seasons, and outside of just the things we couldn’t control, with the vaccine stuff and the mandates in New York City, and just the ups and downs of scenarios and circumstances, I feel like we did pretty well.”
Irving went on to say that he doesn’t view that missed opportunity as being “disappointing,” but it’s still something he thinks about from time to time.
“I don’t look at that aspect of my career as disappointing. I think just think it’s kind of like one of those times that got away, the girl that got away… and it’ll hurt you for the rest of your life. You’re like looking at it, you got a great wife, kids, and all that. So I don’t second-guess it, I don’t wanna get in trouble with my wife. I’m not thinking about nobody else, baby. But it just feels like that FOMO [fear of missing out], you missed out on something great.”
Between COVID-19 mandates, injuries, and trade requests, the three superstars — Durant, Harden, and Irving — played a total of 16 games together, while posting an impressive 13-3 record in those outings. The sheer level of offensive firepower was astounding, but ultimately, it wasn't meant to be.
NBA superstars Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden on the Brooklyn Nets.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Durant, Harden, and Irving are now competing for the same goal as members of Western Conference teams. The Phoenix Suns have afforded Durant with a supporting cast featuring Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, Harden joined a Los Angeles Clippers team with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook.
It remains to be seen if either Durant, Harden, or Irving will ultimately prove successful in their pursuit of an NBA championship. For Irving, his Mavs rank fifth in the Western Conference standings with a 10-6 record, but after getting off to a hot start, the team has lost four of its last six games.
