The Brooklyn Nets are seventh in the Eastern Conference's playoff picture. But there aren't many basketball fans who would claim that they are the seventh-best team in the conference.

Several factors made the Nets' record worse than what it could have been this season. Some of those were out of their control, like injuries to several players, and some were in control, like Kyrie Irving's vaccination refusal. Brooklyn has the talent to compete with any team in the conference — even though they have to go through the play-in tournament — thanks to Irving and Kevin Durant.

Charles Barkley said on Inside the NBA that the Durant-Irving tandem is enough to carry the Nets to victory in any playoff series. He said that they can have the two best players in most matchups.

Barkley lists Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum as the reasons why the Nets' stars wouldn't have the two top spots in series against those teams. Still, they would both be in the top three. Elite talent like that is usually enough to compete with any team.

The Nets could be getting a massive boost in the playoffs if Ben Simmons is able to return. Although it may not be right away, he would be a massive boost. Even if he doesn't play, Durant and Irving have all the scoring abilities and chemistry to make it work.

The Nets will look to punch their ticket to the postseason against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.