Can The Brooklyn Nets Salvage The 2021-2022 Season?
The Brooklyn Nets are in quite a pickle. At full strength, they still have the talent to easily be one of the 5 or 10 best teams in the NBA. However, a myriad of injuries and controversies have made that far from a reality. Their new Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons have yet to play together. Last night, the Toronto Raptors demolished them in Brooklyn with Head Coach Steve Nash in COVID protocols. At 32-30, it’s hard to see them get out of the play-in spots as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. At this point, it must be asked: are the Nets screwed for this season?
Here’s Why They’re Screwed
Everyone expected an offensive explosion at the start of the season. However, the only explosion that’s taken place has been in the form of drama. For the second time in two years, James Harden quit on a team and eventually got moved to Philadelphia. It became increasingly clear that he and Kevin Durant did not see eye-to-eye. Speaking of the Slim Reaper, he has not played since before the All-Star break. While Steve Nash has remained hopeful that he will return later this week, it’s surely a delicate situation.
Durant has been nothing short of sensational during his time in Brooklyn. However, a dark cloud still hangs over after his terrible Achilles injury in the 2019 Finals. The Nets need him now more than ever, but it would be foolish to rush him back or overwork him. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving’s situation continues to be nothing short of an enigma. Irving still won’t be able to play in Barclays Center. Even with NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to roll back the city’s vaccine mandate. He is still required to have at least one dose of the vaccine because he qualifies as a “worker” in the city. NBA pundits, and even Adam Silver, have blasted the ruling and believe Irving should be able to play.
Another Burning Question
And then there’s Ben Simmons. The good news is his mental health is reportedly much improved since his time in Philadelphia. The bad news is that he hasn’t played in 9 months and is now dealing with back soreness. Love him or hate him, Simmons will find a role on this team. He’s a top-level defender, and can at least pass the ball plenty to Brooklyn’s bevy of shooters. However, putting a center like Andre Drummond on the floor with Simmons could complicate things. Will Nash consider playing Simmons at the 5 and going all out with the likes of Kyrie, KD, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, Patty Mills, and others? We shall see. But first, Simmons has got to get on the court.
Let’s Look On The Bright Side
As mentioned earlier, they still have the potential to be a team to be reckoned with. At full strength, the Nets have everything you could need: Star power, defense, shooting, ball movement, versatility, and depth. However, they haven’t been able to consistently put it together all season. Regardless, it’s a guarantee that when playoff time comes around, the Heat, Bucks, Bulls, and other top seeds would be dreading to play the Nets in the first round. I personally believe that this is a team that will turn it on for the play-in games and makes it into the playoffs.
Hell, if everyone is healthy and productive, they still have a chance of running the East and making the Finals. But there are so many question marks. It could be too much ground to make up. There could be not enough time. However, this team is built to win now. The Brooklyn Nets will be a team I keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
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