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The Brooklyn Nets had a far from ideal end to the 2020-21 NBA season, crashing out of the playoffs in the second round. A major reason behind the Nets losing to eventual champions Milwaukee Bucks were injuries to James Harden and Kyrie Irving, and the Nets will now mount another title charge in the forthcoming season.
Five factors that will determine whether the Brooklyn Nets win the 2021-22 NBA championship
The Brooklyn Nets have arguably the best roster in the NBA, with only the likes of the LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks matching up with them in terms of star power. The 'Big 3' of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are expected to deliver the Brooklyn Nets' first ring this year, and here are five factors that will determine whether they will be able to do so -
#5 - Brooklyn Nets will have to pull their socks up on defense
The Brooklyn Nets have ample firepower on the offensive end, but it's their defense that will concern the Nets' fans going into the new season. None of Durant, Harden, or Irving are exemplary defenders, which will mean the role players will have to step up on the defensive side of the ball.
Bruce Brown, Blake Griffin and Nic Claxton played some solid defense in the two playoff series the Brooklyn Nets are likely to reprise their off-the-ball roles this year as well. DeAndre Jordan is also expected to get major minutes in center position, and head coach Steve Nash will hope the quartet can provide some key minutes as specialist defensive players.
#4 - The Brooklyn Nets will need offensive support from their bench
The whole idea of having three offensively elite players on the roster is to rely less on fringe players, but with the intensity of the league these days, it is difficult to be healthy for the entirety of the campaign. The 'Big 3' will either need rest or might get injured at some juncture of the season, which means the bench will have to step up in their absence.
The Brooklyn Nets have added veteran guard Patty Mills to the mix this offseason on a team-friendly contract, and he is likely going to be the team's, sixth man. Mills is a prolific shooter and serviceable playmaker and will have to provide the Nets with healthy offensive production off the bench.
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#3 - Steve Nash will have to take it up a notch in his second year
In his first year as a head coach in the NBA, two-time MVP Steve Nash got his fair share of ups and downs. Nash now returns as a second-year coach of the mighty Nets, with only one objective on his mind - to win the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Steve Nash displayed commendable tactical acumen in just his first year as head coach, navigating through the Big 3's injuries quite well. His adjustments were also on point, but even Nash knows that he will have to come back better and smarter for the new season.
#2 - Kevin Durant will need to be at his talismanic best in the postseason
Kevin Durant is revered as one of the greatest scorers of all time, only behind players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. He was inches away from leading his side to the Eastern Conference finals on his own and will be gunning for his third NBA championship when he dons the Brooklyn Nets jersey in the 2021/22 season.
Durant will have to reach Jordan's level of scoring once again in the postseason, considering how tough it becomes to deal with NBA defenses in the playoffs. Durant is arguably the only unguardable player in the league right now, and he is the Brooklyn Nets' key man going into the new season.
#1 - The 'Big 3' will need to be healthy during the playoffs
A major reason the Brooklyn Nets lost the Eastern Conference semi-finals series to the Milwaukee Bucks was that both Kyrie Irving and James Harden went down with injuries at some point in the series.
Irving was ruled out of action after the 4th game, while Harden was injured in the initial moments of Game 1. The latter played through the injury in the last few games of the series, but could not make a difference.
Health will be the most important factor in determining if the Brooklyn Nets will win their maiden championship in the upcoming season.
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