Brooklyn Nets
Ahead of the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets were picked by many to win the Eastern Conference and go on to win the NBA Finals as well.
The All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving looked unstoppable on paper, but between injuries and Irving being unvaccinated, this season has begun to fall apart for the Nets.
Not only has Durant been out since January 15 with a knee sprain, but Irving has only played in 14 games this season and Harden is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers after being traded there at the deadline.
So much drama has unfolded in Brooklyn over the last few months and now, with there being little room for error, the Nets find themselves at 31-28 on the season, the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference.
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Obviously getting Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and now Ben Simmons on the floor together is key for this team, but the Brooklyn Nets’ lack of depth this season has really resulted in their demise.
Brooklyn ranks 18th in the league in bench scoring and they will likely be without sharpshooter Joe Harris for the rest of the year, as he will likely need a second procedure done on his injured ankle.
The additions of Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond will definitely aid the Nets in their quest for a title, but this team still needs more experienced talents. Kessler Edwards, David Duke Jr., and Cam Thomas are all rookies that have stepped up this season, but the Nets cannot be relying on these guys come time for the playoffs, especially with the Heat, Bucks, and Bulls being formidable foes at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
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Simply adding someone like Goran Dragic or Gary Harris could be huge for this team not only because of the experience they would bring but because of the stability they would provide in the second unit.
The Brooklyn Nets have limped into the All-Star break this season trending downwards and if they want to have any hopes of reaching the NBA Finals, they will need to try to add a little bit more scoring talent to their bench.
