After a heartbreaking end to a tough season — one that began with his recovery from Achilles surgery, included thigh, hamstring and COVID-19 woes, and ended with a seven-game second-round playoff loss to the Bucks — few could’ve blamed Kevin Durant if he skipped the Olympics.
But Team USA coach Gregg Popovich would have stopped at nothing to change the Nets star’s mind.
“Well, first of all, if he said ‘no,’ I would have begged, cried, anything I could to change his mind,” Popovich said Tuesday during the first day of Team USA camp. “That’s pretty obvious. But what it says about him, number one, is that he loves the game. He really loves to play basketball. He loves to win. He loves the camaraderie.
“He wants to be part of this all the time, as we all know. And that’s his motivation at the core. That’s what he loves to do. And luckily for all of us, that’s who he is. So it’s a testament to his character and just desire to be part of a team and have a challenge and seek the success.”
Durant has a 39-0 record in FIBA events and has won three gold medals, including at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games.
The NBA Finals started Tuesday night, but the Lakers already have announced their preseason slate for 2021-22. Their opener will be Oct. 3 at Staples Center against the Nets. Training camp opens Sept. 28, so it may be the Nets’ preseason opener as well.
The Nets played 2019-20 preseason games in China, facing the Lakers in Shanghai and Shenzen. The Nets played at Boston this past preseason and in Montreal against the Raptors in 2018-19.
The NBA draft will return to Barclays Center, after it was held virtually last offseason because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nets named Adam Caporn as the fifth head coach of their G-League affiliate on Long Island. He adds to the franchise’s collection of Aussies, and currently serves as an assistant on the Australian national team and head coach of Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Adam and his family to Long Island,” said Long Island Nets general manager Matt Riccardi. “Adam’s accomplished record of developing players and driving culture on the international, professional and amateur levels has prepared him well to lead the Long Island Nets.
“We look forward to seeing how his extensive knowledge of the game and focus on individual development will shape the team’s promising talent on and off the court.”