The Brooklyn Nets entered this year with high expectations both internally and externally with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both set to lead the charge. After trading for James Harden during the season while also acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin one thing has become apparent; it's championship or bust in 2021 for the Nets.
There are plenty of viable contenders in the Eastern Conference, including the Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks. But the Nets take the cake in the East. Here are three reasons why Kevin Durant and the Nets are the true favorites in the Eastern Conference.
1.) They all can't be stopped
There is not a single team in the NBA that has more options and more firepower than the Brooklyn Nets. The recycled line of, “There's only one ball to go around,” is lame to begin with and doesn't apply here. The Nets have three legitimate superstars but all are willing to setup one another and other teammates.
The problem opposing teams will run into in the postseason when facing the Nets is who to try and takeaway and even if you do, will it be enough?
Let's say Kyrie Irving is having a rare off night shooting the basketball. That's fine, Kevin Durant and James Harden can pick it up. They are literally two of the best shooting and scoring options in the association.
Take it a step further, two of the three are having off nights. The third along with Joe Harris and LaMarcus Aldridge with a sprinkle of Blake Griffin isn't too bad to have to fall back on.
The Nets are a matchup nightmare for any defense strictly from a numbers perspective. They have so much talent, so many pure, reliable shooters and they can't all be slowed down or taken out of the blueprint.
2.) The Nets win regardless of who is in or out of the lineup
Kevin Durant has missed 32 games this year. In those contests, the Nets are 23-9. Read that over again. When one of the best players on planet earth has missed time for his team this year, they have 23 wins compared to 9 losses.
Kyrie Irving has missed 16 games this year. The Nets are 10-6 in those games and average a staggering 115.4 points per game when he isn't in the lineup.
Injuries are unpredictable, they can pop up at anytime. Look at Jamal Murray's recent injury. The Denver Nuggets were uber aggressive at the trade deadline, acquiring Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic and scooping up JaVale McGee as well. Murray's recent torn ACL diagnosis ruins Denver. Sure, they still have Nikola Jokic and others, but they don't have the type of roster that can compete for a title without Murray.
Brooklyn is 23-9 without Durant and they average 115.4 points per pop in games Kyrie has missed this year. If they were to lose one of the big three, it's still a championship caliber roster with gobs and gobs of talent.
The path would become much more difficult, there's no doubting that. But the Nets have shown in a very large sample size this year they can win with whoever is in uniform on a given night.
3.) Experience matters and the Nets have it
Take a look around at the contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia has been phenomenal this year. But Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the two lead dogs, have never even been to a conference final, let alone an NBA Finals. That's not to say they are doomed from the start, there's a case to be made for the 76ers getting over the hump this season. But when you're facing a Goliath in the Nets who have that roster along with the experience with proven results from Durant and Irving, it makes life that much more difficult.
The Milwaukee Bucks have quietly gone about their business this year while dominating plenty of nights in the NBA. But, like Philadelphia, Milwaukee's stars haven't gotten a look at the brightest of lights. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a 2x MVP, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are great “Robin's” to Giannis' “Batman.” None have ever been to any NBA Finals.
Last year was thought to be the season for Milwaukee once the season was jump started again in the bubble. Instead, the Bucks fizzled out in the conference semifinals, losing in five games to the Miami Heat. This year won't be any easier with the emergence of Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant is a 2x NBA Champion and a 2x NBA Finals MVP. He knows the moment, he embraces the moment, he captures the moment. Been there done that, nothing will surprise him in that atmosphere of a championship series.
Kyrie Irving hit one of the biggest shots in NBA Finals history in a game 7, on the road, against the Golden State Warriors. His performance helped rip Cleveland free of a massive title drought in the city. The dude flat out lives for the big moment and we have examples of him rising to the occasion when in those moments. This stuff all matters come postseason time.
There are teams in the Eastern Conference that can and will push the Nets to the limits. Their defense at times leaves a lot to be desired. But this squad is so talented and has so many options, that it should make them the favorites in the East.
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