Kevin Durant reacts to Brooklyn Nets firing Steve Nash: "You're always shocked when a move like this happens; But it's normal in the NBA" 

Kevin Durant has reacted to the firing of Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash. Durant spoke to the media after the 99-108 defeat against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

The 12-time All-Star told the media that he learned of Nash's exit on Tuesday in rather dramatic fashion:

"About 1:15, I woke up from my nap and turned to the right and seen it on ESPN."

Responding to what he thought of Nash's firing, Kevin Durant continued:

"Shocked, you're always shocked when a move like this happens. But it's normal in the NBA. It's about getting ready for the game tonight. It's a quick turnaround always in the league, especially going into the season. You got practice games coming up so you can't think too much about it, but it was on my mind for a little bit today."

Kevin Durant also confirmed that he had no role to play in the Nets deciding to fire Nash:

"Nah man, let's be real. We're pros. We're veterans. We had a tough start. It was a rocky year last year, a rocky summer. We knew that everybody was being evaluated. That's just how it is in the league."

The 2017 and 2018 Finals MVP also explicitly stated that he enjoyed working with Steve Nash:

"I liked working with Steve Nash. I liked working with the coaching staff. It was a rollercoaster the last few years, but the core of it, basketball, is something that we all love to do. Regardless of who the coach, regardless of the circumstances coming to work, so I enjoyed coming to work with Steve."

Kevin Durant puts up 32 points as Nets struggle against the Bulls in aftermath of Nash's exit

It was evident that the Brooklyn Nets were still coping with the news of Steve Nash's departure from the franchise as they hosted the Chicago Bulls later on Tuesday evening.

Kevin Durant finished the game with 32 points and nine rebounds on 56.3% shooting from the field. However, the Nets simply collapsed against the visiting Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter of the contest.

Entering the last period with a three point lead (80-77), the Nets were restricted to just 19 points in the fourth as the visitors scored 31 points to seal the game. The player who was possibly feeling the effects of Nash's exit from the franchise the most was Kyrie Irving.

The seven-time All-Star posted his worst showing of the season as he finished with just four points on 2-of-12 shooting in 32 minutes of action.

This was the first time in Irving's career that he has scored less than five points in a game with more than 24 minutes logged. Irving also had three turnovers in the game and was 0-for-6 from the 3-point line.