Stephen A. Smith backing Brooklyn Nets to reach 2022 NBA Finals and Kyrie Irving to be MVP candidate

Stephen A. Smith has picked the Brooklyn Nets to come out of the Eastern Conference in the 2023 playoffs. He, however, picked the Golden State Warriors to repeat as NBA champions.

On the ESPN show "First Take" on the eve of the new season, Smith sounded confident about the Warriors going all the way again. He said:

"As the guy who picked the Golden State Warriors to win it all last year, before the season began, okay, and I was absolutely right. The day after they won the chip, I went and looked into the camera in Boston, and I said, 'They going to do it again.' They are going to repeat as the NBA champions, but in order to do it, they will beat the Brooklyn Nets."

Smith picked the Brooklyn Nets to come out of the Eastern Conference, saying:

"I've got the Brooklyn Nets going to the Finals. Now I know Giannis (Antetokoumpo) and (Khris) Middleton and these boys, and I know they're (Brooklyn) a bit thin, lacking girth. I think they're going to make some acquisitions for some big bodies."

Smith feels confident about the Nets coming out of the East, as he's banking on Brooklyn star Kyrie Irving to come good. He said:

"All I'm saying to you is this, I think Kyrie's going to be a leading candidate for MVP honors this year. I think Kyrie's going to put on a show coz I'm moving forward. I'm not talking about the past. I'm not going to do it. I'm not going to think about the past - with his vaccines and missing games all the damn time."

He continued:

"I'm going to look at Kyrie Irving in this window, and I'm saying this year Kyrie is going to be a leading candidate for MVP. What's going to stop him is that KD is a MVP in this league."

Smith added that Ben Simmons' return to 'All-Star status' and Royce O'Neale's defense could help the Nets emerge out of the East. However, he said that the Nets might not be able to stop the Warriors.

"Ben Simmons will return to All-Star status," he said. "With him and Royce O'Neale defending; your defense is going to be upgraded; your offense is going to be unstoppable, and only the Warriors are going to be able to take you down."

The Brooklyn Nets will open their new season against the New Orleans Pelicans later tonight (October 18).

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How are Brooklyn Nets expected to fare in tough Eastern Conference?

The Eastern Conference is expected to be as tough as it gets in the 2022-23 season.

The Milwaukee Bucks were the 2021 champions. They have the best player in the league in Giannis Antetokounmpo and are expected to have a healthy Khris Middleton in the coming few weeks.

The Boston Celtics, despite the controversy involving Ime Udoka, are young and hungry. They have also bolstered their ranks with the acquisition of former Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon.

The Miami Heat are there too. With Tyler Herro signing a contract extension, the Heat have a three-headed monster of their own that includes Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

Then there are the Philadelphia 76ers who have benefited from PJ Tucker, who left the Heat to join them. The 76ers have also had the opportunity to work with James Harden in training camp. Harden with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris could be one of the fiercest contenders to win it all.

Finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a young core in Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. With Donovan Mitchell arriving in the offseason and Kevin Love and Caris LeVert also available to play, the Cavaliers could be a serious threat in the East.

Considering the above, the Brooklyn Nets' chances of coming through the East look tough, setting the stage for an intriguing season.