Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving played eight games for the Brooklyn Nets last season. It’s like watching the Beast Boy magically reunite (back to us, Adam Yoch!) but only two songs.
Injuries are an important factor in the lack of playing time for the Nets’ Big Three. Durant, Harden and Irving can’t stay healthy at the same time. It is as if the invisible basketball force conspired to punish their cooperation.
But for the upcoming NBA season, these three perennial All-Stars seem to finally wreak havoc. Durant is healthy. Harden is in good health. Irving is healthy. According to the Las Vegas odds setters, if the Nets all avoid being eliminated (via the New York Post), they can win the championship.
On Friday, when the league announced its full schedule, Caesars Sportsbook provided the Nets with a predicted total winning percentage of the highest/lower betting. The Nets’ total wins are 54.5 games, leading the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks’ 53.5 games and a group of teams including the Los Angeles Lakers led by LeBron James and Russell Westbrook’s 51.5. A victory, and the Los Angeles Lakers who ranked first last year. 1 playoff seed per division (Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers).
For the Nets, 54 or 55 victories are very feasible. After all, although Durant, Harden and Irving are as durable as wet wipes, they won 48 games last season.
In the eight games they played together, the Nets did look unstoppable. Now, with the team’s Big Three finally getting a proof of health, it’s scary to think about how dangerous they will become.
Post time: Aug-24-2021