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The Brooklyn Nets have been an absolute force throughout the past few weeks, as the team has now managed to win seven games in a row. Due to some excellent plays by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets are in a position many expected them to be in coming into the season.
This Brooklyn squad was expected to win a title throughout the past few years, and possibly, the team has finally started to figure it out.
They decided to fire head coach Steve Nash at the start of the season, which caused an uproar among certain fans. However, most of the fan base backed the front office's decision and believed it was the right thing for them to do if they wanted to take the next step.
Despite recent excellent play, NBA analyst Tony Kornheiser doesn't believe in the Brooklyn Nets, saying it doesn't matter what they do.
"I will get to that question in a second, but I want to be clear here, as a native New Yorker, that the Brooklyn Nets could win 82 games in a row, and they would not matter. So if you tell me they've won six in a row, nobody is paying attention. But if the New York Knicks win three in a row, 'cause that never happens. If they win three in a row, guys on the street are saying you think Randle is as good as Reed? Do you think Barrett's as good as Frazier?
"And if they've won eight in a row, there's apoplexy in the city because they think they're going to win a championship. Remember Mike, two championships all-time, and the last one is probably 50 years ago. They are starved for a championship. I believe in the Knicks to this extent. They're a better team now than they've been in a while, they should be a playoff team, which for them is an accomplishment...
"This was told to me by Brian Windhorst, that he plays Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes, I know you know them. He plays them about 22-23 minutes per game. And as a result of their defense, the Knicks are third in field goals against and fifth in threes against."
ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" host Michael Wilbon then heaped praise on Knicks' point guard Jalen Brunson, saying he's "jealous the Knicks have him." This led to Kornheiser remarking:
"But you don't trust the Nets, do you? Nobody trusts the Nets."
Watch the full exchange below:
Are the Brooklyn Nets championship contenders?
The Brooklyn Nets can become championship contenders if they continue playing the way they have. With both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, everybody knows the type of talent the team has.
Kevin Durant comes into the end of December averaging 30.4 points per game this season and shooting an efficient 56.5% from the field. He's been incredible on the offensive side of the court, and if he can continue that, Brooklyn will be nearly unbeatable come playoff time.
Kyrie Irving has also found success after his suspension at the start of the season. This year he's averaging 26.1 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and shooting an efficient 49% from the field.
His three-point shot is a bit down at just 33.7%, which would rank among the second-worst in his long NBA career, but he's finding ways to get the job done on the offensive side of the basketball in other ways. Brooklyn has to be watched out for at this point, as they're showing what they can do when they focus and play basketball.
