The Brooklyn Nets are going all-in on winning an NBA championship this year. With the big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, the Brooklyn Nets are the prohibitive NBA title favorites. The Nets have been a solid franchise since their origination. They have made the NBA playoffs in 22 of their 45 years but have never won that ever so elusive championship. However, with this roster expectations will be extraordinarily high for the Nets. In this article, we will be looking at the Brooklyn Nets 2021-2022 season preview.
Brooklyn Nets 2021-2022 Season Preview
Recap of Last Season
The Brooklyn Nets had a terrific 2020-2021 regular season with a record of 48-24, finishing second in the Eastern Conference. The expectations for last season’s Net’s team were very high just based upon having Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the same team. However, when the Nets pulled off the blockbuster deal to acquire James Harden expectations soared through the roof. These three superstars played outstanding. Kevin Durant averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. James Harden averaged 24.6 points, 10.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. Kyrie Irving averaged 26.9 points, six assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Even with all of this production the Nets big three all dealt with a number of injuries throughout the regular season. Kyrie Irving played 54 games, Kevin Durant played 35 games, and James Harden played 44 games.
The Nets also had a very solid cast of role players. Players such as Blake Griffin, Joe Harris, and Jeff Green. The only real questions for the Nets heading into the playoffs were would they be healthy and would the big three gel together. The Nets beat up on the less talented Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs winning in a convincing five games. However, the next series was against the Milwaukee Bucks and the health issue raised its ugly head. Both Kyrie Irving and James Harden would suffer injures as the Bucks would go on to beat the Nets in seven games. Most people believe if the Nets were fully healthy they would have won last year’s NBA championship.
Offseason Changes
Heading into the offseason it appeared the Brooklyn could not get any better however they did. The Nets brought in Patty Mills, Jevon Carter, James Johnson, Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, Cameron Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, DeAndre’ Bembry, and Sekou Doumbouya. Mills and Thomas will offer the Nets explosive scoring off of their bench which they did not have last season. Johnson, Carter, and Bembry will bring a scrappy and tough-minded nature to the team. Millsap and Aldridge will provide solid stretch big minutes for the Nets next season. The Nets also resigned Bruce Brown and Blake Griffin in the offseason. While bringing in a ton of new players the Nets let quite a few walk. Players such as Jeff Green, Spencer Dinwiddie, Landry Shamet, and DeAndre Jordan all left the building.
Expectation For Next Season
After their terrific offseason, the Brooklyn Nets will be competing at the top of the Eastern Conference and NBA next season. It will not be easy for the Nets to win the title having to go through teams like the Lakers and Suns but you can never bet against Kevin Durant.
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