NBA: Brooklyn Nets: a time bomb or big favorites to dethrone the Lakers?
NBA Who wins and who loses in the latest NBA mega-pass
El transfer that has ended with James Harden in the Brooklyn Nets junto a Kevin Durant y Kyrie Irving has caused an earthquake that has shaken an NBA that already looked to Los Angeles as a favorite city to conquer the ring of the 2020-2021 season. However, the arrival of the guard in New York has caused a change in the stakes and has made climb to Steve Nash’s team, positioning himself as the great candidates to fight the title with LeBron and company.
As for talent, there is little doubt as to the move made by Sean Marks, general manager of the New York franchise. Probably managed to get the Highest quality trio in the entire league and one of the most talented in history of the NBA. A weapon of mass destruction – it can surpass the offensive efficiency record set by the Mavericks last season – in attack (Harden and Durant already know what it’s like to be top scorers for a season) that promises many afternoons of glory and fun to the fans. of the Nets (seventh right now in attack in the NBA) and of basketball in general.
The ring window can be realBut the hardest part remains: putting the pieces together and making them work as a team. That is the question that remains in the environment. Harden and Irving are two players who need to have a lot of the ball in their hands. And although Durant knows how to play without him, the truth is that he also accumulates a large number of pitches per game, so on more than one occasion doubts will arise about who has to play what pitches.
That is the other question that this transfer leaves. On a team with two players who have been NBA MVPs and a regular all-star, who is the leader? James Harden arrives after having been the alpha and omega in the Rockets and although he already knows what it is to be secondary to his time in the Thunder, it is difficult for him to give up so much prominence now. Something similar happens with Irving, who left Cleveland tired of being LeBron’s second sword and whose performance as a franchise player in both Boston and Brooklyn has not been at the expected level. Who else can fit the role of having to share gallons can be Durant, who already did it in the Warriors with whom he conquered two NBA rings.
A goal for which also, and above all, defense is needed and in that regard the Nets have lost with the transfer. Although before they were not a machine either (25th defense in the last eight games played) LeVert and Prince were better outside defenders than Harden. Nash will have to come up with something to stop forwards like Tatum or Antetokounmpo when Durant isn’t on the track. And the loss of Allen leaves too much only Jordan in the inside game and at the time of closing the ring against the opponent’s attacks. However, it may be that with the arsenal that the Nets have achieved in attack, defense is the least.
They lose one of the best players in their history as the statistics show (leader in triples, assists, second in points …) which in other circumstances would be a drama. But the truth is that they have discarded a toxic piece that no longer wanted to be in that dressing room. In return they have bet on an Oladipo that ends contract this next summer and by filler pieces like Kurucs and Exum. Not much if we take into account that from Philadelphia a possible transfer of Ben Simmons sounded. From there the always risky bet on the future and the draft picks that nobody assures that they will turn out well. A priori, they are the least favored team out of this transfer.
Are you getting on the CARIS LEVERT train? Oladipo arrived finishing his season with OKC as a substitute, in a transfer where we sent PG and we also received Sabonis.
LeVert has been averaging: 18.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 6.0apg, 1.1spg. Just 4 GAMES started, the rest were substitutes. 26 years. pic.twitter.com/Mn1pKOGNtK
? Pacers Argentina (7-4) (@IndianaPacersAr) January 13, 2021
No one was counting on the Pacers appearing on this entire map. However, at the last moment they may have been the great beneficiaries of the whole transfer. They lose an all-star like Oladipo who was in his last year of contract and that he had already shown interest in leaving Indiana. In return comes a Caris LeVert who has been revealed as one of the best versatile talents in the league and who ends his contract in 2022. Also, with this move, the Pacers make their commitment to Sabonis clear as a team franchise player.
Another guest who was not expected at the party and who will have to make another move to unload his zone. He got Jarrett Allen to an inside game in which they already had Drummond, McGee, Love and Larry Nance. They have also landed a hard-working and good role player like Taurean Prince, who can bring a lot to a team that has bet on young talent on the outside and inches and intimidation on defense on the inside.
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