Opinion
The Brooklyn Nets are poised as one the biggest teams in the NBA the year after acquiring Kevin Durant and James Harden to go along with Kyrie Irving in what looks to be a mini dream team emerging.
Brooklyn went down to the Washington Wizards after leading by five with less than ten seconds left in regulation time after a Russell Westbrook masterclass to close the game out.
The loss opened up a gaping hole that has been evident at the Nets since the opening night.
Brooklyn are coached by future hall of famer Steve Nash, who was not known for his defence. Assistant coach Mike D’Antoni is also not known for his defence. Holes are starting to gape and show within the franchise.
The Nets are in serious trouble with a struggling defence ranked 27th in the competition.
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Brooklyn are still in trouble going the other way on the court. Kyrie Irving, who is playing second fiddle to Harden and Durant, is the leading shot taker by one or two shots. That is simply inexcusable.
Durant has been in the top three best shooters in the game for the past five years at Oklahoma and Golden State. He hit 57 per cent while Irving hit 50 per cent and took more shots.
When you have a player like Kevin Durant in your team, he needs to be taking the majority of the shots and using the ball more than any other player.
James Harden was brought in to bring the Nets to a championship. In doing that, they sold the defence and put up 144 points.
Defence wins championships and if the Nets don’t pick up a strong defensive player who can get rebounds by deadline, their hopes of a playoffs spot might be already gone.
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Ben Simmons will not play again this season.
Russwell Westbrook's turbulent two seasons at the Lakers has come to an abrupt end.
The Nets have sent Kyrie Irving on his way after he requested a trade.
Ben Simmons has his swagger back. If you don't love that, then you don't love NBA basketball.
Brooklyn Nets are descending further into chaos, which puts Ben Simmons more under the spotlight.
All the talking points from the first couple of nights in the NBA.
