Former Brooklyn Nets forward Jared Dudley believes Kyrie Irving and Kenny Atkinson will disagree with each other at times.
At the beginning of NBA free agency, the Brooklyn Nets came to an agreement with superstar point guard Kyrie Irving. With a four-year, $141 million deal, Irving will now lead the backcourt for the Nets for years to come.
However, Irving has a reputation for having an attitude problem. Irving reportedly had his problems with the Cleveland Cavaliers and then had a strange end to his tenure with the Boston Celtics
Ultimately, Irving may run into some problems with Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson. Former Net and current Los Angeles Laker Jared Dudley believes it’s very possible.
“I can see them going at it,” Dudley told Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. “[Atkinson] holds everyone accountable. But he’s a players’ coach. He’ll go at you. But he’ll bring you into a meeting, watch film with you and ask you what he can do to make you better.”
Last year was Dudley’s lone year as a member of the Nets. In 59 games, the veteran forward averaged 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 42.3% shooting from the field and 35.1% from behind the arc.
Irving will definitely have to learn with Atkinson this upcoming season, as he’ll have to run the show for the most part. Newly-acquired superstar forward Kevin Durant will be out for most or even all of the 2019-2020 season. Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals this past year.
Atkinson is a no-nonsense coach from Long Island who won’t be afraid to challenge Irving. Nets fans are hoping that brings out the best in Irving, but it has the potential to be a disaster if the relationship doesn’t work.
