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The term rivalry is thrown around loosely throughout the league. In the words of injured superstar Kevin Durant, his NBA rivalry today is not real. It’s like a social his media battle between fan bases.
“No, I mean, every game has juice. I’ve been saying rivalries in the NBA don’t really matter in my opinion,” Durant said. “So social he’s going to be a battle between each fan base on the media, but as far as the players go, it’s another game on the schedule and each team is trying to get better and improve.”
Join two NBA teams separated only by the New Jersey Turnpike: the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. Eastern His two contenders in his conference have been labeled as rivals, but the Nets quickly dismissed that narrative.
“I don’t know if I’d classify it as a rivalry,” said head coach Jack Vaughan. “I think the fans in Philadelphia are so into the game and I think it makes for a fun atmosphere to be around and it really has to hone as a group and stay together as a group. I’d probably lean more into it…more than anything.”
As Brooklyn heads down the New Jersey Turnpike to face Philadelphia on Wednesday night, both teams will run into old friends in Sixers guard James Harden and Nets point forward Ben Simmons. At least for the Nets, a showdown with the former superstar guard adds nothing.
“Above all, I think the Phillies are a game or a game and a half ahead of us in the standings. I think that’s what matters,” Vaughan said. And I don’t know what the outcome will be at the end of the year.I think that’s the most important thing at the end of the day.”
Of course, the two teams haven’t played in a game featuring all the stars since last February’s blockbuster NBA trade deadline transaction. Since then, the contest has missed at least one superstar of his on each team.
Both Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Harden missed their last matchup. Nets forward Kevin Durant didn’t play this time around, and Simmons missed the final game of the regular season last season because of a hip problem.
At their final meeting at the Wells Fargo Center, the Nets knew what to expect. In fact, Vaughan joked that it was “Earmuffs” night. He was heavily booed throughout the contest, but Simmons said after the match that he expected the atmosphere to be louder.
Don’t expect a different reaction this time around from the rowdy yet passionate Sixers fanbase.
The Sixers listed Embiid (pain in his left leg) as suspect ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting with the Nets. Meanwhile, Durant won’t join the Nets in Philadelphia. He will remain in Brooklyn to focus on rehabbing his right knee.
“No. I’d rather be here with all the gear I got here,” Durant said. “I’ve had a good routine over the last few weeks and I don’t want to break it for a single day. Everyone knows I’ll be back very soon. Even if I haven’t played for a few weeks, We may be able to move around later, but for now, we want to stay close to the facility in good condition.”
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