When the Brooklyn Nets signed Kyrie Irving in the offseason, it signified they were ready to take a major leap forward. The signing of Kevin Durant signaled that they were ready to be a contender for the next few years. Although the Nets knew Durant wouldn’t play this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles suffered with the Warriors, they couldn’t pass up on two big building blocks for their franchise.
The plan this season was to have Irving for a playoff push, while Durant rehabbed during the season. Irving is talented enough to carry the team to the playoffs, scoring in bunches while making a habit of creating highlight plays.
But Irving has missed 23 games this season with a shoulder injury. While Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson offered no update initially, Irving confirmed that he had a bursitis injury and was undergoing active treatment to get back on the floor. Cortisone shots have been a part of Irving’s regime. Surgery is also on the table, but going that route would most likely end his season.
With his status for a healthy season looking bleak, should the Nets go ahead and shut down Irving for the season? It may not be a bad idea.
The goal for the Nets has always been to compete for a title in the 2020-2021 season. That’s when Durant will be fully healthy and recovered from his devastating Achilles injury. If this season was only to get the two stars established within the Nets culture, then his 11 games may be enough. In those games he played, Irving averaged 28.5 points and 7.2 assists per game.
Without Irving for the rest of the season, though, the Nets could allow players time to develop. In essence, the Nets could follow the Golden State Warriors model. They could allow for their star players to heal, while their young core develops. The Warriors have turned to 2020-2021 as their time to get back into NBA championship contention. This was the Nets’ goal all along, so why not go ahead and prepare for it?
In the end, the Nets aren’t gaining anything attempting to get Irving back on the court this season. The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are the favorites to come out of the East. The Nets are a respectable 16-18 for their circumstances, good for the seventh seed. But,this season wasn’t supposed to be their year. Next year is. It makes more sense to get Irving and Durant back to turn their dream when they signed into reality.
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