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Durant missed his final six shots — including a contested airball from the top of the key for the tie with 0.3 seconds remaining.
“I don’t know what more Kevin could do.
He also played all 48 minutes in Game 5, finishing with that legendary 49-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.
Harden also played All-53 in Game 7, coming up just short of a triple-double: 22 points, nine rebounds, nine assists.
Between the regular season and playoffs, Durant, Irving and Harden logged just 332 minutes together over 14 games.
Harris, the league’s leader in 3-point accuracy, connected on only eight of his final 33 triples during the series.
Nash’s rotation spanned just seven — with the exception of the final play of regulation — in Game 7.
Durant, however, returned to his all-world form after being sidelined for 552 days due to an Achilles’ injury.
LaMarcus Aldridge also signed with Brooklyn only to be forced into sudden retirement due to heart issues.
Then Harden got hurt 43 seconds into Game 1 of Round 2, although Brooklyn took a 2-0 lead on Milwaukee anyway.
But this didn’t feel so much like a failure for the Nets as it did a massive missed opportunity.
Marks’ biggest priority will be reaching extensions with Durant, Irving and Harden — who all have player options for 2022-23.
The Nets, though, could get something in return if the motivated guard with a chip always attached to his shoulder goes elsewhere via sign-and-trade.
One former executive projected earlier this season the point-center could get in the $9-10 million range, but perhaps his ask could be even higher.
Brooklyn will ultimately have limited financial options to improve its roster — adding size, defense, rebounding versatility etc … — but the Nets can still sell prospective personnel on a title shot.
On the coaching front, assistants Mike D’Antoni, Ime Udoka and Jacque Vaughn should all get interviews for head jobs elsewhere.
In the meantime, Kevin Durant will probably take some down time at an oasis of his choosing.