3 bold predictions for the Brooklyn Nets next season
By Luke Duffy
Brooklyn Nets Prediction #1. They make the NBA Finals
The Nets making the NBA Finals would be a turnaround for the ages, but they have far more than just the Celtics to worry about in the East. They’d need All-Star level seasons from Durant and Irving, and a return to some sort of form for Simmons. A seasoned head coach would need to be in control, and Seth Curry would have to be as electric as we know he is from deep.
In fact, the Nets can build off of their 3-point shooting and offensive rating (117.9, seventh in the league after the All-Star break, 15 days after they traded Harden). After all, they have Durant, who’s the best player in the league at bailing his team out of bad possessions, and Irving is not far behind.
If Joe Harris comes back healthy, he’s a fabulous 3-point shooter (46.6 percent on 6.3 attempts in his last full year), and that can be used when Curry is off the court. Alternatively, playing both in tandem could truly blow opponents away. The Nets could hit a rarified offensive air, and it may power them to the NBA Finals, with Harris potentially being their x-factor.
However, if needed, they could always trade Harris for more defensive help. That said, they already acquired Royce O’Neale earlier in the offseason. He’ll be a huge help defensively, and he and Nic Claxton can help the Nets get away from relying on Blake Griffin and other older players. As could T.J. Warren and Cam Thomas, especially during the regular season.