Brooklyn Nets: 5 storylines that will come to an apex in final stretch

Apr 10, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brooklyn Nets find themselves in an enviable position in Year Two of the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant union. They sacrificed depth to add James Harden via trade from the Houston Rockets in a four-team deal, but now they have three top-10 players when everybody is healthy and available.

Entering the season, the Nets looked like a pretty good squad that could put a scare into the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Now, they could be the best team in the league and possibly outgun any playoff matchup.

5 storylines that will come to an apex in the final stretch for the Brooklyn Nets

It’s an incredible turnaround for a franchise that seemed hopelessly woebegone just a few years ago. They built an appealing culture on hard work and playing the right way, and as a result, they wooed Durant and Irving to Brooklyn. Now instead of being the plucky team that could, they’re a juggernaut with championship expectations.

The Nets currently sit with a record of 36-17, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the best mark in the Eastern Conference. They’ve put together this record in spite of Kevin Durant missing more than half of the season and Irving missing time now and then, thanks largely to a near-MVP performance out of Harden

There are plenty of crucial storylines that will lead to this new-look team’s ultimate success or failure this season, and we’ll go over the five most compelling that will be decided by the end of the season and playoffs.