Brooklyn Nets superstar James Harden looked forward to this highly-anticipated second round “showdown” as he called it, with the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks. Unfortunately, The Beard was forced to leave Game 1 just 43 seconds into the first quarter after he reinjured his hamstring. Harden was unable to return to the game. However, it did not prove to be a problem for the Nets throughout the contest as they eventually cruised to a 115-108 victory in the series opener.
The 2017-18 MVP's status for the rest of the series, much more Game 2, remains unknown. Still, if Game 1 was any indication, the Nets should not panic as much even if Harden isn't going to be available for them moving forward. Here are some reasons why:
1. The Nets offense is clicking
Brooklyn's offense has been clicking since the playoffs started and this continued on through their Game 1 victory over the Bucks. They struggled early on in the first quarter, but eventually found their rhythm as the game went through. The Nets did a good job moving the ball around to generate good open looks for their perimeter shooters.
This has been the theme for the Nets since their first round series against the Boston Celtics and their juggernaut offense will be their recipe for success on the way to a championship. Brooklyn played with extreme efficiency against Boston, shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from three in their 5-game series win. Per Basketball Reference, they also notched a 130.1 offensive rating and posted a 58.2 effective field goal percentage in that series.
The Nets shot 46.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep in Game 1, which, for their standards, is just a so-so performance. The scary part is that they are capable of doing so much better. If the Nets continue doing what they're doing on the offensive end, they could be just too much to handle even for a top-tier defensive team like the Bucks.
2. Others have proven they can step up
Blake Griffin turned back the clock with an impressive performance in the series opener. In 35 minutes, the 32 year old scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help Brooklyn secure the Game 1 victory. More than the stat-sheet, Griffin played with a tremendous amount of grit, doing the dirty work, hustling, and diving on the floor for loose balls. The former no. 1 overall pick is playing more inspired basketball as of late with an opportunity to win a ring and this motivation is fueling him to do everything he can in being a star in his role for the Nets.
Joe Harris also stepped up in Harden's absence by chipping 19 points and lasering in five 3-pointers in their Saturday night win. The 6-foot-6 guard is a vital component of Brooklyn's offense as he opens things up for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to do their thing on offense with his ability to space the floor. If double teams come the way of Durant and Irving, Harris is as dangerous a threat as anybody to knock down an open long ball.
In addition, end-of-season free agent signing Mike James proved to be a capable fill-in for Harden in Game 1 as he notched 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field in 30 minutes off the bench for Brooklyn. A gifted scorer and ball handler, the 6-foot-1 guard became an instant fixture in head coach Steve Nash's rotation due to his ability to create shots on his own and make plays for others. Sure, he obviously isn't the player Harden is on the offensive end, but his contributions should be just enough to fill in some of the things Brooklyn is missing with The Beard on the sidelines.
3. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving may be just enough to get them over the hump
If the Nets don't get major contributions from their “others,” they have two superstars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving who are capable enough to carry an offense all by themselves. Durant and Irving combined for just 54 points in Game 1 with three other players stepping up to score in double-figures.
Brooklyn would ideally want to get a steady diet of scoring from their supporting cast, especially if James Harden isn't going to be available. Nevertheless, Durant and Irving can go off and drop 40 on any given night. It's going to be hard to stop them when things start clicking for them. Heck, even if one of KD or Kyrie struggle from the floor, the other erupting and carrying the offensive load can still win a game for Brooklyn. That's just how good those two are when they are at their best.
Follow Us
Subscribe