With an almost unmatched armada in the league, Brooklyn has it all fly over the competition in 2021-22. Is the title guaranteed for all that? Not necessarily … a crucial element could thus the Blacks and Whites to finish champions.
It’s hard not to talk about a superteam when we talk about the case of the Nets. With the trio Kevin Durant – James Harden – Kyrie Irving leading the way, the franchise had planned to win the league title last season. Unfortunately for them, Milwaukee was stronger in the conference semifinals… A scenario that will never be repeated next year.
For this, the leaders did not hesitate to turn the group upside down and add new faces. Exit Spencer Dinwiddie, Jeff Green and others DeAndre Jordan; hello to Patty Mills, Paul Millsap and even Sekou Doumbouya, who arrived in a Detroit trade. Even LaMarcus Aldridge made his comeback, he who first had to hang up last April! What to have a sacred workforce.
However, one piece of data is of great concern to BKN: the health of the players. Last season, the Big Three were only rarely able to set foot in full. And the situation is not much better for the rest of the roster… You just have to look at the balance sheets of the big names in Brooklyn to realize it!
- Kevin Durant: 35 games in two years, white season in 2019-20
- Kyrie Irving: 74 games in two years, injury in the playoffs
- James Harden: 44 matches in 2020-21, injury and playoffs
- Blake Griffin: 64 games in two years
- Paul Millsap: only one season with 70 games played in five years
- LaMarcus Aldridge: premature retirement due to heart problems
As we can see, the Black and White infirmary is regularly packed, and not just with rotating players. It is above all the leaders of the team who are affected by the physical glitches, and this was also seen in the playoffs against the Bucks. Irving and Harden quickly out for the series after injuries, Durant found himself (too) alone against the future champions.
He will therefore absolutely monitor their state of health over the coming months, even if it means resting them for several matches if necessary. In this case, the much criticized load management could well be essential for the workforce of Steve Nash … Not necessarily optimal when you intend to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy in less than a year.
Great favorites, the Nets will however have to be careful that they do not suffer another hecatomb of injuries. Otherwise, becoming champion will be much more complicated …
