The Nets knew they were investing in the future when they signed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to huge free agent deals in July of 2019. Durant was less than three weeks removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon and Irving was looking for a fresh start after being the scapegoat for a disappointing season in Boston. Durant didn’t play at all during the 2019/20 season, while Irving suffered a shoulder impingement that limited him to 20 games, so the Nets’ wait to enjoy the spoils of their free agency coup became even longer.
Two games into the new season, Durant and Irving are both healthy and Brooklyn looks like a legitimate contender. The Nets started off with blowout wins over the Warriors and Celtics in a pair of nationally televised games. Irving is putting up MVP-level numbers with averages of 31.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per night, and Durant isn’t far behind with a 25.5/4.5/3.0 line.
The Nets, who had trouble assembling a full roster this summer at Disney World, suddenly have a deep, talented team that looks capable of a long playoff run. Caris LeVert has become the primary ball-handler on the reserve unit and is third on the team in scoring at 15.0 PPG. Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris bring additional firepower to the starting unit. DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen split time at center, while free agent addition Jeff Green provides versatility in the frontcourt.
Brooklyn’s emergence adds another contender to the crowded playoff picture in the East. Milwaukee had the best record in the conference last season, but Miami reached the NBA Finals. The Celtics, Raptors, Sixers, and Pacers should all be in the mix as well.
We want to get your opinion. If the Nets can get a full season from both Durant and Irving, should they be considered the best team in the East? Please leave your replies in the comments section.
They are your No.1 seed and 2021 champs
The scary thing is they are a top 4 in the east team without KD and Kyrie.
They where the 7th seed with kyrie , caris ,levert and Allen all their last year ! They stayed a 7 seed when kyrie got hurt ! Durant is all that matters for them as far as contending!
IF they can get a full season out of Durant and Irving…
Bum knee Kyrie never plays a full season!
Irving’s Celtics looked really dominant too for about a week. Same story different team.
They’re certainly a strong contender if Durant is healthy, but I still like the Heat and Bucks better.
No Durant on that Celtics team, what a stupid thing to compare.
Yes
Nets 8th man is better than 76ers 4th man
When people talk about “teams to beat” then ONLY talk about the superstars, is so annoying.
List the top 10 minutes played and then compare ALL 10 PLAYERS! Not just the top 3 or 4, you don’t win a chip without having the one of the best benches in the game, period.
Tell that to any LeBron James led team. Or any Michael Jordan led team. Or any Kobe Bryant led team. Or any of the Warriors teams of the past few years. None of those teams had great benches. Superstars win championships, not benches.
Wrong, ALL of those teams had elite benches, and the Warriors literally lost 2 chips because their benches weren’t deep enough. They win 5 in a row if their benches were deeper.
Just because you are spoonfed by the media to only care about superstars, doesnt mean the other rotation guys do not exist. Learn things.
Learn things? Like what, manners?
Jeez McFly, did your parents not get you the PS5 you wanted this year?
None of those teams had elite benches. The Big 3 Miami teams. They were called the Big 3 because that’s about all they had. The Bulls didn’t win 6 titles in 8 years because of Luc Longley or Stacey King.
And I know enough to know that all of this is opinion and therefore CANNOT be wrong in any way whatsoever. So check yourself, you smug little…
Elite benches? lol. Well their backups thank you.
Your recklessness puts you in unsupportable positions.
I much prefer Gary, for someone going too far with GSW. At least he can recognize results.
Learn about the CBA, it’s what everyone in basketball, and the judges that rule disputes, have to follow.
It’s only two games, and all they can do is beat the team ahead of them. But GSW is on track for another top 10 pick and Boston is missing Kemba.
Looks good so far, lets see how they do against the Sixers, Bucks, Hawks, and Heat before we crown them regular season champs.
Don’t think they’ll be looking to trade half the team for an over-30 ball dominant malcontent.
But that malcontent’s face looks like something from a 70s issue of Penthouse, so he has that going for him…
Right now? Ya
Sure, but there are still 70 more games to play.
The Nets aren’t getting past the Bucks or the Heat to reach the ECF.
Nets-hater position
Lol chum that’s why I qualified with “right now”.
i’d be surpised if da rockets actually make it past da first round lmao. wdym. literlaly levert is better than tobias harris which makes da nets a even more dangerous team.
Yeah, I’ll believe Durant and Irving can coexist for entire season when I see it. Neither has shown an ability to handle any diversity well in the past. On paper, they are certainly one of the top teams in the East, though, since personalities don’t show up on paper.
Explain how KD has not handled diversity. He just made the last 3 finals he was healthy for and won 2 chips. Kyrie you do have a point, but why lump KD into the same column as him? KD is aloof but it never affects his on court performance and he never requested anything on court or from teammates.
KD’s work personality is awkward and like many, he shouldn’t be on social media, but he’s a million miles apart from Kyrie’s mental games, which might have be viewed as head games to those who have been around long enough. It’s still to be seen if Kyrie is trolling or not.
I’m referring to his complaining when with OKC and desire to leave when the going got tough and his inability to get along with GS and wanting out of there, as well. Quite frankly, KD comes across as fragile, and as for winning with GS, he had to join a team that had already set a record for regular season wins. It’s not like he carried that team. It’s more like he piggybacked on a team that was already dominant. No, KD has not shown any kind of mental toughness or an ability to handle adversity well. Riding the Warriors to success does not equal handling adversity. Wanting out of that situation because he couldn’t get along with someone like Green actually indicates the opposite.
Cavs.. LOL
Seriously, its so early to tell…
Brooklyn is definitely the team to beat in the East. And they have all their draft picks and Taurean Prince salary to get an upgrade at deadline
add another defender at da deadline that’d be fit da bill of trading prince
They have looked really good but I’d be wary of Kyrie having a meltdown or injury at some point. Can KD hold up? Who knows. They’ve been fun to watch though
Exactly. If KD’s physical health and Kyrie’s physical and mental health holds-up, they’d be the team to beat in the EAST …….. emphasis on that IF bit.
From throwing co-players under the bus, fake moon landings, non-existent dinosaurs, flat earth, burning sages and his imaginary war with media, Kyrie’s mental ride seems to be on a slow ride, just getting a bit faster every year.
The media just needs to ignore Kyrie and KD and talk to the other guys on the team, who are still a top 4 team in the east without their big 2.
How do you figure that? They weren’t very good last year without them
no
“Irving is putting up MVP-level numbers…” It’s two games in!
Give him time and he’ll fall off the edge of the world.
Exactly, no way is Kyrie going to average close to 32 PPG this season.
Why would he fall of the edge of the world though? He’s not on the Celtics anymore, he’s with KD who will be feeding him all day. KD is miles away better than anyone on the Celtics.
Irving was the problem in Boston, not his teammates. The guy is a total head case and Durant is very thin-skinned. They will likely start to break down as soon as they hit a bump in the road.
They are probably the best team in the NBA, their bench goes deeper than anyone’s in the west.
lakers bench is super deep too.
The extra tme KD and Kyrie had after healing from injuries. Has paid off big time. Both look strong and ready. The team is already following their lead. It’s looking good after 2 gms. Thing that impresses me most is their depth. That is what will win championships. Looking gd but give it 20-30 gms. Enjoy the ride.
They are the best team in the East in the same way that Usain Bolt is the fastest marathon runner after finishing 1st in the 200 meter dash. They have had 2 great games, but I think it is a WAY too early to anoint them as the best.
I see a top five… BRK, BOS, PHL, MIA, MIL… it is hard to be more specific… but given the way the question was put, “If the Nets can get a full season from both Durant and Irving, should they be considered the best team in the East?— Yes.
Any team given certainty of their top two’s health, gets the best odds of the EC between those five.
Irving did look agile & accurate as usual, also explosive. Durant was effective, howerver, even more skinnythan before. This may not be sustainable. I suspect at some point he will take it too far, hurt those ankles again… so No as the assumption is unfair.
BRK, MIL & PHI are the top dogs in the EC
BOS, IND & MIA are the next group, waiting to pounce if any of the top teams fail & they are on top of their game.
ATL, ORL, TOR & WAS will be in the play in tourney.
CHA, CHI, CLE, DET & NYK… well they will have a chance to develop their young ones like LaMelo he was great in his 2nd game!
Swap PHI with MIA and you nailed it.
They’re not the best team in the East. Milwaukee will prove better over the course of the regular season. Brooklyn is probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the East, depending on how the Sixers do under Doc.
Durant-Irving-Dinwiddie-Harris-LeVert-Allen-Shamet-Jordan-Green-Price
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Giannis-Middleton-Holiday-Lopez-DiVincenzo-Connaughton-Portis-Forbes-Wilson-Augustin
Why do you think that Milwaukee is better? Brooklyn destroys them on the depth chart from about 4 on, and the top 3 are arguable either way….
Let’s be honest, in basketball it doesn’t matter who has more depth from after that third or fourth spot on. I’ll take Milwaukee’s first 3 over Brooklyn’s first 3. That’s why I like Milwaukee better.
They just might be, but can’t count out the bucks or sixers either. Dark horse is Miami… Celtics have the talent but don’t deliver in the conference finals…
6ers can’t shoot. Giannis can’t shoot jump shot. Nets are best. Heat will be tough out. Celtics aren’t contending w/o Kemba.
BK fan here. It’s only 2 games in so it’s too early to say.
But, I don’t think they could’ve asked for a better start. Opening night win was nice, but GSW have Steph and nobody else.
Christmas against BOS was very nice, albeit without Kemba for them. First half was filled with dumb turnovers. Was waiting to see how Nash would get them to respond in the second half, then Kyrie and KD both go off in the 3rd quarter. Win by 28.
So far so good, but too early to say. I like our chances though.
They have the best group of players (in terms of overall and mix of talent) in either conference. But chemistry (up and down the roster) and health challenges can only be met and answered over time. The best teams aren’t just about their best 8-10, but how they can convert them to 5’s through injuries and slumps. I like Nash’s rotations in that regard. He’s trying to develop this great roster into a great team. Time will tell.
They’re currently getting waxed by the Hornets. Might want to wait a week or so before anointing them champs.
The best team in the east doesn’t lose to the Hornets.
So the Nets are clearly not the best team in their conference.
Neither is MIL, MIA, BOS or PHI as all of them have had embarrassing defeats, so who is CLE? SMH!
Cleveland beat the Hornets! They’re going to storm the league. Wahoo!
Yeah no kidding El Don, the point is…it’s too soon to tell maybe? You think?
This article has not aged well over the last two days.
The Nets are so ridiculously overrated, and now people are finally seeing it.