All that drama surrounding the Nets this offseason can be filed under “Much ado about nothing.”
Kyrie Irving remains on the roster. So does Kevin Durant, who has rescinded his trade demand after potential suitors couldn’t meet the Nets’ astronomical asking price. Steve Nash is still the head coach and Sean Marks is still running the front office, even though Durant wanted them both fired a few weeks ago.
While the franchise appeared foolish and dysfunctional throughout the process, there’s one caveat: The Nets, on paper, have a really good team. In fact, they may be even better than they looked at the start of last season, when Durant, Irving and James Harden were expected to carry them to the Finals.
Irving won’t have to miss home games due to his vaccination status. Durant, who missed a chunk of last season due to a knee injury, will enter camp healthy and presumably motivated by all the drama he created.
Then, of course, there’s Ben Simmons, who never suited up last season due to mental health issues and a back injury that required surgery. From all indications, he’ll be ready to go by training camp. His passing skills and defensive versatility could make him a better fit alongside Durant and Irving than Harden was.
Joe Harris, the team’s highly-paid floor spacer, should be ready to stretch defenses again after rehabbing from an ankle injury that wrecked his 2021/22 campaign. Royce O’Neale was acquired from Utah to fill a “dirty work” role at forward and the front office took a flyer on T.J. Warren, who could provide an offensive boost off the bench if he’s finally recovered from his foot ailments.
Though they lost some role players (Bruce Brown, Goran Dragic), the Nets still have rotation pieces Seth Curry, Nic Claxton, Patty Mills, Cam Thomas and Kessler Edwards, plus some roster openings to add more depth.
That brings us to our question of the day: Now that the Nets and Durant have decided to continue their partnership, is Brooklyn once again a serious contender for the championship? Do you foresee them being a major factor in the postseason or will more turmoil and drama bring them down?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Exactly 0%. Definition of insanity, except this time they might have Ben on the court to agitate the team.
Bucks clear the Nets by so far its hilarious
Ben cant guard Giannis, period.
Cleared em by about 2inches last time they met in the playoffs… lol if Ben can’t guard Giannis then who can?
Good question, no one person can guard Giannis. Teams that have had success against usually send 2,3 or even 4 people at him.
Facts. Nobody can guard that guy. Just put 34/gm on the best defensive team in the East last time we saw him.
So did Steph, just saying, and hes not even 6’4″…
Las Vegas Title odds rankings
Celtics
Warriors
Clippers
Nets
Bucks
Suns
Nets have 100 advantage over Bucks and 500 over Suns
IMO
Nets have better bench than Bucks
Depends on the sportsbook. Vegasinsider combined avg of the leading sportsbooks has the Bucks ahead of the Clippers and Nets are 5th.
Good to know our society still has plenty of money to throw away!
link to youtube.com … if they get this type of play from Warren, or even 80% of that version of him, the Nets gotta be the favorites in the East. They could use a vet big but tbh Day’Ron Sharpe is extremely talented & could step up & be a starter level 5 for them this season.
link to youtube.com … if they get 60-80gms of this guy playing like this they’re headed straight for the #1 seed & could possibly run away with it like Mia/Phx did last season. Steve Nash gotta show that he’s capable of putting all this talent in the best position to succeed tho. He was thoroughly outcoached by a rookie coach last season & improvement from him would go a long way to making this team reach their huge potential
If and could possibly seldom translate into reality.
Celtics and Bucks are 1-2 favorites to come out of the East for good reason.
Lol strong recency bias there. It’s pretty obv you just wish the Nets don’t have success this season. Lol rooting against KD/Kyrie on the basketball court is gonna usually end up having u sad. Shouldn’t take a genius to see this is an elite team. Obv nothing is guaranteed but teams with this type of talent usually do pretty good in the nba
Nets need 2 good trades to beat them
link to youtube.com … this team is blessed with ridiculous talent up & down their roster. If/when this kid scratches his ceiling this season (he’s def gonna make a leap), the Nets could be 1 of the best scoring teams in the league no doubt.
You are on crack cocaine if you think this Nets roster will clear the Bucks, Bulls or Cavs. Stop thinking KD is 2012 KD, he’s old old now, he’s not the same guy.
If u want attention just say that
Nets are very good. Simmons healthy takes them to contender. Claxton key also in my opinion.
But they have the cupcake Durant. He can’t be a bus driver for the entire season. Simmons, Irving and Durant? Who gets “hurt” first?
This team is definitely a wait and see. Can’t put any wager of an NBA Finals or conference Finals appearance at all at this point. We really don’t know who’s going to show up, disappear, suck it up, or pout.
Right now the Nets are a collection of good players. Whether or not they can become a team who truly play together is a huge question. Championships are won by teams, not by collections of star players.
They have no defense other than Ben, and Ben cant stop Giannis, so….
If it was a video game, this team would be top 3 in the East. However, they have several issues: Simmons is a liability, Irving is inconsistent, red flags on health of several players, an inexperienced head coach who’s competency has been questioned and above all else, a complete disinterest in playing team defense. They’ll be a storyline all season long and should still make the playoffs with the talent they have. Calling them a title favorite is ridiculous.
Trog, I don’t think “Simmons is a liability.” The guy’s 6-11, can handle the Rock, has good Vision, plays great defense and he’s still young. Hopefully the back injury doesn’t slow him down and he’s healthy and ready to go.
I believe there’s a couple of these guys that want to put the drama behind them and show who they are on the court. The question is does that Translate to the conference finals? We will wait and see.
Elite defender guards 1-5, triple double threat every night. Physical, ungodly length, young with room to expand offensive game. Ben is key to nets .
According to google he’s had 32 triple doubles in 275 reg season games. It’s pretty sad that he’s so far been unable to expand his offensive game.
Imagine actually thinking these washups are better than Giannis and the Bucks.
KD is old old. As in “production about to fall off a cliff at any moment” old. Maybe its this year?
Bulls and Cavs clear the Nets too.
“Could”, “Should”, “If”, etc.
They haven’t even filled out the roster, mainly due to KD’s BS. There’s been zero press on Harris having actually recovered. How much has Simmons lost in 17 months off the court? Will the 2 isoball divas agree to be coached into some semblance of an offense, or will it be (as Dragic said) all about individual stats?
Multiple teams with more chemistry stand in their way.
Way too many things have to go perfectly all of a sudden for them to be considered a legit contender.
I have to agree with you. In theory, they could be a contender, but they need to build an actual TEAM first. They can’t just throw a bunch of vets together and assume they’ll all mesh perfectly. This has shades of 2021-22 Lakers . . .
If they can reign in the dysfunction…no doubt.
They look like paper champions
Out in first round of playoffs
The Nets have to be the most hated team in the league. They are the favorites in the east 99%. Fans are sleeping on them heavily. They have the best player on the planet. The roster is finally balance with elite offensive and defensive players hopefully Nash improves his coaching everyone is sleeping on the nets I can see them getting 50+ Wins the number 1 seed and winning the championship no more drama distractions. KD will be motivated for his third ring. Kyrie on a contract year Ben will prove the haters wrong. They need one more big Cousins Thompson Harrell Morris or bring back LMA, Blake is a few options to consider. That will clear the Bucks Celtics etc they will easily be the favorites and it’s not close! Also, I could see them being a sleeper and having one of the best defensive teams in the league with elite defenders like KD Ben O’neal Claxton Edwards and a very underrated defender in Irving. They have great young players as well Claxton Duke Thomas and Sharpe will break out.
Ha ha, KD is nowhere near the best player on the planet. He was #1 in nothing, only was top 3 in scoring and FT% last season, and got swept out of the 1st round with a 20+ pt scorer on his team. 6’2″ Steph Curry outscored, outshot, and outrebounded him vs the Celtics in the Warriors Finals win.
They’ve been favored the last 2 years and haven’t got out of the 2nd round. They could be better this season if they can stay healthy, but that goes for the Celtics and Bucks as well.
Best player on the planet? Nets didn’t trade for Giannis…
Whatever talent and durability their “Big 3” possess is undercut by each being either narcissistic or incapable of seeking effective team dynamics.
And during the 1st round last season, Nash and his staff seemed clueless as to adjustments, starting with Tatum’s infamous Game 1 layup.
Best team in the east, hands down!
Simmons is gonna beast it, Kyrie was amazing last year and with KD… anyone thinks BRK ain’t contending, hoops ain’t something they know about, as simple as!
Lakers pre-first title vibes, Shaq also averaged 27-28 ppg (and 12 rebounds , 3 blocks), young Kobe (yet to breakout), talented roster but chemistry issues. Then, Phil Jackson arrives, sets a New tone in the team ando locker room (zen), they bring a third sword (Glen Rice) and savvy veterans (Ron Harper, AC Green), and fill the roster with specialists.
In terms of roles-profiles (not on-court skillsets).
KD: Shaq
Kyrie: Kobe
Ben Simmons: Rice/Rick Fox (3rd Best player)
Ron Harper (savvy veteran): Joe Harris?:
AC Green/Horace Grant (dirty work): Royce O’neale (much younger, but may understand his role).
Phil Jackson: That’s their biggest question mark.
It’s not a matter of talent, You can’t deny. They need a clear leader (their Phil Jackson), to manage egos, personalities and handle superstars (which KD and Kyrie are).
If they figure out that, You have a championship Caliber team, and a shot at repeating.
Good post I like it. Well written. Who’s going to be the Nets Big Shot Rob? Very underrated contributor to the Lakers during that time.
Thanks Gary.
Horry was Indeed a great piece, Also for the Rockets and Spurs.
I would watch for a free agent/buyout market. I
It’s gotta be a high profile or at least an established player, it would be difficult for a rookie or not-very-known player to fill a clutch, shot-making role, but, given the chance and personality, it could be.
I don’t see that profile in Any player in the current roster, though
I know Cam Thomas can score. If he develops in that role, it could be
Lol.