The Nets have a whole lot of chips on their collective and individual shoulders this season. After an off-season filled with controversy, uncertainty and recriminations, Brooklyn has two things going for it: talent on paper and a need to remind everyone who they are.
Let’s start with the team itself. Disappointing would be the least offensive word one could assign to last season. After being the odds-on favorite to win it all, with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden forming a “Big Three” of future Hall of Famers. they won 44 games. One of the three, Harden, forced his way out; another refused get vaccinated during a national health crisis, limiting his games played to 29 and arguably the best player in the league once again lost a lot of games to injury.