Brooklyn Nets: Star power lands as Nets look to rise in 2019-20

Predictions

Most of reality lies in the middle of two extremes. That’s probably the case with the Brooklyn Nets too, where they won’t win 60 games, but also won’t implode.

Even in a depleted East, it’s unlikely that a team with one star (or even two, if LeVert pops) fights with the Bucks or 76ers. Giannis Antentokoumnpo and Joel Embiid are already MVP candidates for this season before even stepping on the court; Irving has quite a bit of work to do to reach their level.

At the same time though, they’re not going to melt down. Irving had problems with Boston that went deeper than most people can synthesize, and with the things Brooklyn has already done right by him, it’d take a catastrophe for history to repeat itself.

In the system the Nets have set up for attacking guards, Irving is a wonderful fit. Getting him engaged right off the bat will have a domino effect on the rest of the offense. The Nets effectively replaced D’Angelo Russell with Kyrie freaking Irving, making their three-headed attack into a bona fide monster.

Around them are quite a few good complements. Harris is an elite floor-spacer, Prince is above average (38.7 percent from 3 since 2017), and both centers will be effective finishers. Kurucs has a clean stroke that implies improvement from his 31.5 percent 3-point clip last season. Temple is fine in that department and can take playmaking duties in a pinch.

Even if Irving doesn’t contend for the MVP, he’s still in line for one hell of a season. He’s the alpha and omega of the Brooklyn Nets for this season, and the ride is about to be quite fun.

The Nets finish with 48 wins, good enough for the third seed in the East. They win a playoff series, but lose to Milwaukee or Philly valiantly in round two.