The Brooklyn Nets were favorites to win the NBA title heading into the beginning of the season. We quickly realized that they would be one of the most entertaining teams this season, and not exactly for their play. Between Kyrie Irving being out for personal reasons, the James Harden drama, and even as recently as the Ben Simmons Game 4 fiasco that has the NBA community up in arms; there has never been a dull moment with this team.
Heading into the playoffs, the Nets were slated to face the up-and-coming Boston Celtics, who are being guided by young talents such as Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum. The young Celtics surprised the entire NBA when they dominated game 1…and then game 2…and then game 3! There’s no way this can be happening, no way! How can the Brooklyn Nets, who have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the roster, be getting manhandled by the Celtics? Well, this goes to show that money can’t buy chemistry.
The Nets came out shooting in game 4 of the series, and it looked like the Nets could possibly take the game. Then the second half started, and the Celtics completely took over the game from a defensive and tactical standpoint. Even with Kevin Durant having his best game of the series, as he dropped an astounding 39 points, the Nets couldn’t get past the Celtics, and Boston ended up sweeping the team from New York. This was a HUGE win for the Celtics, but an even bigger loss for the Nets.
So, where do the Nets go from here? Well, first things first, the Nets have to do away with anybody who is not making winning their sole priority. This team had WAY too many distractions this season. Durant has been known to be a baller; to be so ingrained in the sport of basketball that he forgets about everything else in the world. Aside from Durant, there doesn’t seem to be players who share this mindset on the Nets.
The Nets need to trade anybody who doesn’t share the “championship or bust” mentality. No offense to the rest of the Nets squad, but the only player who was showing a great amount of hustle during the game was Blake Griffin. With this in mind, the Nets need to cut ties with players who aren’t all-in on winning, and they need to do it fast.
This season was a major disappointment for the Nets, and hopefully, they can right the ship this offseason. Does Steve Nash stay? Does Kyrie stay? Does Kyrie stay? Who knows, but I guess we’ll find out heading forward.