Hoops Habit
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The 3 most intriguing teams to watch in the NBA right now

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 01: Devin Booker #1 celebrates the game winning shot with Deandre Ayton #22 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on February 01, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 01: Devin Booker #1 celebrates the game winning shot with Deandre Ayton #22 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on February 01, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets
NBA (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

NBA team to watch No. 3: Brooklyn Nets

This is both an obvious place to start, but also may have some Knicks fans feeling aggrieved too. We all can’t seem to get enough of the superteam that is this current version of the Brooklyn Nets, yet New York will always be a Knicks town, and the media outlets in the city reflect that. Which in itself is a fascinating juxtaposition.

Imagine having Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, and not being the biggest basketball story in the city every day? Beyond that anomaly, however, there is just a ridiculous amount going on here to watch, both on the court and off of it. It stretches beyond the superstar trio in place as well.

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Defensively the Nets look small and well below average (25th in the league, giving up 113 points per game), especially when Durant is not out there. This is surely going to be exploited by the likes of Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the playoffs, and it would not be a surprise if those players average close to 40 points in a series against the Nets. Yet they will still probably lose.

Durant can’t seem to stay on the court for long periods of time, and he’s not there for his defensive abilities either, but you get the feeling he is being held out until the postseason begins. Irving is somebody best described as a free spirit and someone who marches to the beat of his own drum. He will lock in for the postseason, but his disappearing acts so far have added to the intrigue.

It is almost ironic that Harden, the guy who forced his way out of Houston with the Rockets, has been the one constant since coming over. He too has missed some time through injury, but he has willingly passed the ball and moved without it. Blake Griffin has been better than advertised, while Nic Claxton might be the first small-ball center who is actually more of a guard. When the playoffs begin, there probably isn’t another organization you will want to watch more of.

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