The conventional wisdom ahead of the regular season was that James Harden and Kevin Durant would lead the Brooklyn Nets to one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference. It’s probably fair to say Steve Nash’s team’s season hasn’t gone as planned.
The good news for Brooklyn fans is that, despite the turmoil, they should still make the playoffs. In fact, fans looking for betting offers at online bookmaker sites will find that the Nets are still among the favorites for ultimate success, despite their lower-than-expected ranking.
The catalog of misfortune and blunders has been well-rehearsed. Ben Simmons has yet to play a single minute for the Nets, while Kyrie Irving’s intermittent availability as a result of his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19 cost the Nets regular-season victories. Yet despite it all, the Nets can still end this rollercoaster of a season on a high. Here are five reasons why the Nets can do it.
Steve Nash’s chill
Nash may not be the best tactician in the NBA, but he’s great at soothing egos and keeping everyone on track. That’s critical for a team with a lot of big egos heading into the playoffs. Famously, Phil Jackson’s zen-like traits worked brilliantly for the Bulls and the Lakers: two teams full of big egos. When things go bad, Nash can provide Brooklyn with the same sense of serenity.
Bruce Brown’s defense
Many Nets supporters are wondering if Simmons will be able to return in the postseason and make a difference for the team, but it may not be necessary thanks to the contributions of less high-profile players, such as Bruce Brown.
For a team with this much star power, he’ll never be a high-usage offensive player, but the fact that he’s shooting over 38% from three-point range this season makes it simple for Nash to keep him on the floor, and this means the young winger’s defensive skills can really shine.
Sure, Brown isn’t big enough to stop the NBA’s biggest wings – but he’s quick enough to shut down small wings and other guards at a high level. With his versatility, he’ll be a crucial piece in Brooklyn’s postseason machine. Opponents are likely to force him to take more shots in the postseason than he did during the regular season, but his three-point shooting might make all the difference to Brooklyn’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
Patty Mills’ shooting
Mills’ outstanding play is a significant reason why the Nets have a chance to reach the Finals this season. Without the services of Irving as point guard, his perimeter shooting has done wonders for Brooklyn. Mills will lose some shots and playing time as a result of Irving’s return, but the two will share a lot of minutes in the backcourt, and that duo can be an elite offensive combination.
To be successful, Mills does not require the ball in his hands. Playing with Irving and Durant, his ability to function as an exceptional catch-and-shoot weapon makes him lethal. On the perimeter, opponents know they can’t give him an inch unless they want to see his three-pointers nestle in the net.
Mills’ rapport with Durant, which he developed while playing with him for long stretches this season, will also pay out nicely in the playoffs. He’s only averaging 11.5 points per game right now – but with a heavier workload in the postseason, that number may skyrocket.
Kyrie is well-rested
Kyrie Irving’s absence has been one of several rolling narratives this season for the Nets, but Irving’s lack of availability this season means he should be fresh for the postseason, which could give him a significant advantage over opponents who have logged significant minutes in the regular season.
It is true that Irving’s lengthy injury history as a pro has also kept him from making the playoffs on multiple occasions, and there’s always the possibility that he’ll be hurt once the playoffs start, but he appears to be in good shape to enter the fray.
Nash and his coaching staff will have to figure out how many minutes Irving can put in. In a stressful playoff series, there will be a temptation to push his workload to the limit, but that is a danger the Nets should avoid. Still, even if Irving isn’t in peak condition right now, he should be able to play his way into better shape as the playoffs progress. Ultimately, his shambles of a regular season, with all its negative publicity and controversy, could turn out to be a huge godsend.
Kevin Durant
The NBA is a star-driven league, and at no time is this more evident than during the playoffs. Durant’s outstanding performance for the Nets may be the most obvious reason on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less accurate.
When he’s on fire, he’s virtually impossible to guard on the offensive end of the floor. He can get his jump shot off above practically any defender because of his 6-foot 10-inch size and extraordinarily long arms. When you add in his outstanding handle, it’s clear to see why even the best defensive wings have trouble slowing him down.
Durant’s offensive prowess allows the Nets to overcome any setback just by allowing him to outscore the opposition. Nash doesn’t want to rely on it all the time – however, it’s a significant trump card for Brooklyn.
In the playoffs, his defensive versatility should not be overlooked. Durant’s defensive effort may fluctuate during the season – but his length and athleticism make him a great defender when he’s focused.
Above all, this is his team in a way that could not be said of his previous franchises. If he can lead Brooklyn to the NBA Championship it would represent the pinnacle of his career – and would elevate him even further in the pantheon of NBA greats.