Nets are now NBA title favorites

[Keith Van Horn]

https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/31113032/brooklyn-nets-nba-title-favorites-some-sportsbooks-injury-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james

I think we all already knew this but seeing this as the top trending story on ESPN this morning just makes it feel more real. To those of you guys who've been around for years and year, I know you're like me and still struggle to accept stuff like this lol.

A couple of big story lines to continue to monitor as we head into this week though:

1. When do we see KD back?
2. How will Blake continue to be integrated into this team's rotation?
3. Will Nash begin to dial back minutes of guys like Harden and Kyrie? (he mentioned he was aware of Harden mpg issue last night)
4. What will happen with Dinwiddie before the trade deadline?
5. At what point do we switch Claxton into the starting lineup over Jordan? Or is it better to keep him off the bench and then use for late game situations?

[Kiddlovesnets]

Tbh I aint sure if we could beat the Bucks, they have significantly overhauled their rosters to be better suited for playoffs. This aint the same regular season team as we called them off in the last 1-2 years, they are a serious contender. We better grab the top seed and hope the 76ers and Bucks series going to game 7, and take advantage of less fatigue and better preparation.

[Prokorov]

https://www.espn.com/chalk/story/_/id/31113032/brooklyn-nets-nba-title-favorites-some-sportsbooks-injury-los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james

I think we all already knew this but seeing this as the top trending story on ESPN this morning just makes it feel more real. To those of you guys who've been around for years and year, I know you're like me and still struggle to accept stuff like this lol.

A couple of big story lines to continue to monitor as we head into this week though:

1. When do we see KD back?
2. How will Blake continue to be integrated into this team's rotation?
3. Will Nash begin to dial back minutes of guys like Harden and Kyrie? (he mentioned he was aware of Harden mpg issue last night)
4. What will happen with Dinwiddie before the trade deadline?
5. At what point do we switch Claxton into the starting lineup over Jordan? Or is it better to keep him off the bench and then use for late game situations?

The Lakers were not really my concern. Even with AD. And it was no lock they would come out of the west. I think there are worse matchups for us. they have less deoth then us and rely even more on their stars then us.

My biggest fear is that Lowry... or worse Lowry + Powell goes to miami or philly or if Boston use that TPE to bring in Grant and a big (although thats less of a concern). If teams stand pat then We curb stomp philly in 4 or 5. may miami takes us to 6 with a couple cheap wins but they would never really threaten us. Bucks are trash when it becomes a halfcourt game in the playoffs. Denver doesnt have the horses. Jazz couldnt outlast us 7 games.

as far as your list...

1. Probaly late mid to late april. 0 reason to bring him back pre playoffs other then a week or 2 to ramp up to full speed
2. I think he needs to beat out green. Once KD is back its green or Blake. i cant see nash playing green at SF with the bench.
3. Kyries minutes are fine. an he gets days off. Nash seems unwilling to give harden a rest day. but i think it comes soon
4. nothing. i dont think his market value is worth more to us then him. maybe trading him for a TPE. i dont think a player.
5. He is already playing more minutes and finishing games i think in a week he gets the starters role. with rookies/young guys i think its important to make them over-earn that spot over handing it over quickly. i think nash is handling it well. i expect the same timeline as when allen took DJs spot.

[Prokorov]

Tbh I aint sure if we could beat the Bucks, they have significantly overhauled their rosters to be better suited for playoffs. This aint the same regular season team as we called them off in the last 1-2 years, they are a serious contender. We better grab the top seed and hope the 76ers and Bucks series going to game 7, and take advantage of less fatigue and better preparation.

Giannis goes from MVP to fringe all-star in the playoffs. he can be guarded with centers. thats a huge disadvantage for them. and he becomes much less ineffective when he has to guard a star vs. being a help man. vs us he would need to guard a star. Holiday is really their best shot, if he can provide efficient offense and play more on-ball. thats a 5 game series win for us.

This is no fluke. when teams lock in and the game slows he isnt the same. and he had floor spacers last year too, so its not just like year 1 under kid with no spacing or being surprised.

we are talking 4 striaght years in the playoffs plus the FIBA embarassment. He has won 3 playoff series:

-vs. the magic last year (losing record)
-vs the pistons 2 years ago (losing record)
-vs. boston 2 years ago (that mess of a boston team with rozier/kyrie/morris/tatum/smart and the blow up of that team

other then that, he has been smashed and was a big part of every seires loss

[andrewww]

Tbh I aint sure if we could beat the Bucks, they have significantly overhauled their rosters to be better suited for playoffs. This aint the same regular season team as we called them off in the last 1-2 years, they are a serious contender. We better grab the top seed and hope the 76ers and Bucks series going to game 7, and take advantage of less fatigue and better preparation.

I'm not convinced of the Bucks. Their rotation players are weaker than when Brogdon was on the team, and Jrue isnt exactly an elite creator. You can still wall off Giannis and dare him to shoot to beat you.

IMO the Nets were the title favs the moment Harden unlocked the full potential of this team, and with Claxton filling in admirably for Jarrett Allen my stance hasnt changed on this. Only the lbj propaganda machine would provide such great value betting the Nets.

[MrDollarBills]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

[Prokorov]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

That could change....


Lowry | Curry/tybule | Harris | Simmons | Embiid

Thats an elite 2-way starting 5 that can exploit the few weaknesses we have and has enough elite defenders to make us work. and Lowry is the leader they need (like when the had butler) to keep them from that losing stench they have.

Lowry -> Kyrie
Thybule -> Harden
Simmons -> KD

and then Embiid protecting the rim. no one can guard our guys 1 on 1 but that trio can make it tough for them and then they have an elite rim protector behind them. I'm just praying they dont want to pay to rent him or toronto asks too much. because if they dont make that trade, we will stomp them.

[MGrand15]

I think we've been the best team in the league but the playoffs are really really tough. Even the KD Warriors had some difficult series and that team really had no weaknesses. We actually have some stuff that teams could exploit so I'm definitely not getting overconfident. I'm just hoping we're healthy come playoff time.

[Prokorov]

I think we've been the best team in the league but the playoffs are really really tough. Even the KD Warriors had some difficult series and that team really had no weaknesses. We actually have some stuff that teams could exploit so I'm definitely not getting overconfident. I'm just hoping we're healthy come playoff time.

Yeah. I dont think we are unbeatable. Although if rosters stay as is, the east is a much easier path then i think the Durant warriors had.

in order, here are my concerns:

1. Health. We might not need all 3 stars early on to win. hell we could likely win a title with 2 of them. but our odds of winning with all 3 are significantly higher. We saw Lebrons cavs lose titles because Kyrie/Love got hurt.

2. Lowry. if he goes to the heat/bucks/philly thats game changing. it puts them closer to us overall talent wise and lowry is a 2-way fit leader who has always given us trouble. id love to see him go west, or if he does stay east not to philly. Lowry with the heat would also be tough. if toronto traded lowry/powell as a combo to miami or philly that would make me really worried

3. Coaching. we all know ive gone in constantly on nash but forget my complaints. we would have a rookie coach with really no coaching experience prior to being an HC. he is going to be facing Rivers, Spoelstra,... guys with rings. that has to factor in over 7 games

I have no worries our stars will show up. im sure one or two will go hot or cold at least one will be MVP form.

[Openheimer]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

[HardenGoat]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

What the hell is going on with Kyrie? More family issues? This is getting to be like Kawhi with his "load management" thigh tendinosis escapade

[Openheimer]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

What the hell is going on with Kyrie? More family issues? This is getting to be like Kawhi with his "load management" thigh tendinosis escapade

Family reasons but he turns 29 tomorrow so that might be the reason. Needs to celebrate it with the family

[Prokorov]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

What the hell is going on with Kyrie? More family issues? This is getting to be like Kawhi with his "load management" thigh tendinosis escapade

Listed as dealing with a family matter. hope everyone is ok. I know his sister was having some issues and he has a young kid.

[Openheimer]

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

What the hell is going on with Kyrie? More family issues? This is getting to be like Kawhi with his "load management" thigh tendinosis escapade

Listed as dealing with a family matter. hope everyone is ok. I know his sister was having some issues and he has a young kid.

Hopefully she is ok

[HardenGoat]

I hope his family is OK too, I just hope it's nothing more serious with him personally cause he has been in and out of the games all year long

[Prokorov]

Health determines if we win or not. Period.

If Durant and Irving are available for the entire playoffs, we will win. There isn't a team in the league that can stop us at full strength.

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

Thats life. Glad we have players that value family and community and are not just money whores.

[Kiddlovesnets]

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

I think we have to make a hard choice during the summer, to keep Irving or not. I am tired of his nonsense, for his birthday matter he can play tonight's game, take the Jazz game off and return to play the Pistons, missing only one game during this road trip. Instead he just doesnt want to play. I am really pessimistic about our title chance this year, apart from KD's injury problem, we never know when Irving suddenly decides to disappear in the middle of the playoffs in a series tied 2-2 going to game 5. Imagine how you'd feel if you are KD or Harden, and Irving just quits on you like this.

[Prokorov]

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

I think we have to make a hard choice during the summer, to keep Irving or not. I am tired of his nonsense, for his birthday matter he can play tonight's game, take the Jazz game off and return to play the Pistons, missing only one game during this road trip. Instead he just doesnt want to play. I am really pessimistic about our title chance this year, apart from KD's injury problem, we never know when Irving suddenly decides to disappear in the middle of the playoffs in a series tied 2-2 going to game 5. Imagine how you'd feel if you are KD or Harden, and Irving just quits on you like this.

lol what hard decision? its the easiest decision ever. you keep kyrie and thank your lucky stars we have him.

I wouldnt care if all 3 never played again if it was to be with family or to serve a higher calling (womens issues, social justice issues, etc)

[Openheimer]

Harden now listed questionable for tomorrow with neck pain according to Malika Andrews

[Prokorov]

Harden now listed questionable for tomorrow with neck pain according to Malika Andrews

good news. "neck pain" im sure is "maintenenace day" but they are not allowed to say that anymore.

he needs the rest.