Before the start of the season, the Lakers and the Nets were in the limelight, and the luxurious lineup composed of multiple superstars and all-star veterans envied others, and they were also considered the biggest favorites for the championship this season, but before the season began, the Nets suffered a blow because Irving did not want to inoculate, and the Lakers were plagued by injuries in advance, resulting in the team failing to complete the run-in and finally struggling.
Compared with the Lakers, the Nets still have Durant playing MVP performance to lead the team to the first place in the East in the absence of Irving and Harden's poor form, however, when facing the popular teams this season many times, they have all swallowed defeats, reflecting the current strength of the team, and have not yet reached the level of championship favorites.
It can be said that the nets' opening season is very difficult, Irving is reluctant to inoccinate and can not play at home games, the management is angry to ban him from participating in away games and training, Harden has not recovered to the best state after the injury last season, can not play the previous superstar state, and even many times become a burden on the court, coupled with Griffin's state decline, Joe Harris's injury, etc., and then up to 9 players recently triggered health and safety agreements, this luxury battleship that has created a luxurious lineup aimed at rushing to the championship, There is a great risk of halfway silence.
However, after more than two months of difficult progress, the Nets finally kept the clouds open and saw the dawn of hope!
The first is management compromise and agree to Irving's return to playing away games!
Prior to this, Durant and Harden were under great pressure to play, Durant played for many consecutive games for about 40 minutes, laying a huge injury hazard, and Harden was not in good shape at the beginning of the season, but he did not get rest and adjustment, but continued to struggle under Nash's "inaction tactics".
And when the Nets' Big 3 becomes 1.5 giants, they want to compete with defending champions Bucks, as well as the Heat Bulls to rush out of the Eastern Conference, it will be very difficult, even to the Finals against the Warriors and Suns, the odds are very small, so, after the team began to perceive the crisis, the management chose to compromise, let Irving comeback, ease the pressure on Durant and Harden, even if the home can not play, but as long as harden and Durant can get more rest time on the road, it has achieved the goal, not to mention the playoffs, they can at least ensure that they have 3 giants in 3 or 4 games.
The second is the recovery of the state after Harden lifted the health and safety agreement
Harden triggered a health and safety agreement and was absent for more than a dozen days, which was even worse for a star who struggled with his performance at the beginning of the season. But after the comeback, Harden quickly surprised the Nets in Los Angeles, and the MVP who used to be omnipotent in Hugh City finally returned.
Playing the Lakers cut 36 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, playing the Clippers cut 39 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, this is what we are familiar with Harden, and the most surprising thing is that Harden's breakthrough in these two games has finally found the shadow of the peak period, the fast pace easily shakes off the defenders, breaks through the interception of 2 to 3 people, and can also use physical confrontation and aerial dodging to send the ball into the basket, and the European step that was still amazing in the past is also back.
Finally, the Big 3 is about to merge
The Nets had their toughest time, Durant, Harden, Ader and others all triggered health and safety agreements, and even Irving, who had just been allowed to come back, could not escape the disaster. However, after Harden terminated the agreement, Durant, Irving and Ade and others have also dissolved the agreement, if there is no accident, Durant and Ade can return in the next game, and Irving needs to go with the team for a period of adaptation training before they can play.
According to the media, Irving will return as soon as away to the Bulls on January 3, and may also be away to the Pacers on January 6. But whichever game it is, it means that the Nets 3 giants can soon fit together.
For this luxury battleship that aspires to be the crown, it was their darkest time for a while, but after experiencing ups and downs, they are finally on the right track. And before Durant and Irving returned, before the Big 3 fit, Harden had regained his form and took the lead in blowing the clarion call to impact the championship.
With Durant and Irving, who can only play on the road, it did not ensure the Nets' advantage, and when Harden also returned to his peak level, it was the peak of the Nets' strength. What's more, compared to last season, there are two powerful veterans in the Nets lineup today, Mills and Ade, who can help each other, as long as they stay healthy, the Nets will obviously usher in a better chance to rush the championship than last season.