On January 5, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. The Nets have suffered a three-game losing streak and have flown to the Indiana Pacers home, where they are actively training and preparing for away games. For the team, they're under a lot less pressure because league super point guard Kyrie Irving is finally back. According to Nash's arrangement, the next game against the Pacers, Irving will start and make his season debut with Harden and Durant.
Almost everyone thinks that without Irving's Nets, it would be a pipe dream to win the championship. What's more, Harden's state has dropped a lot, and Durant's excessive use has buried safety hazards. When Owen returned, some people began to wonder: How should Mills adjust? 0+0+1+0, 30 minutes on the pitch? Irving made up his mind and paid a fine of 100,000 to play at home.
Mills is in a slump to meet Owen?
In anticipation of Irving's return, the Nets' starting guard Mills played an extremely low game. Facing the Grizzlies at home, Mills played 30 minutes, contributing 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist and 0 steals. Why?
When we look at Mills' stats, it's not just that this one is in a slump, it's not that he's been in good shape lately. In the home game against the 76ers, he played 34 minutes, shot 2-of-10, had 5 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, and 1-of-8 three-pointers. In Irving's absence, Mills played a lot of the roles Irving was supposed to take on. In 13 years of his career, he averaged 20-23 minutes per game in the first 12 seasons. But when we got to the Nets, it became 31 minutes.
0+0+1+0, 30 minutes on the pitch? We shouldn't focus too much on the data in front, but on the playing time in the backcourt. Mills is also a veteran, 33 and a half years old, and his physical fitness is not as good as before. According to the Nets' original plan, Mills was the scorer on the bench.
Now, with Irving's return, Mills is finally at the end of the day, and can take a good rest, adjust and shine on the bench. Save your strength in the regular season and not be able to shine in the playoffs.
Owen made up his mind
For Irving's return, the entire Nets team rejoiced, like a grand holiday. In particular, head coach Nash excitedly said: "We are able to play again according to last season's plan, which is a well-established game plan." Why? We can compare the two sets of data to see Nash's mind.
Last season, Nash, assisted by D'Antoni, was second in the League in offensive efficiency and no. 1 in the league in scoring per game. What about this season? The team's offensive efficiency is 13th in the league and 11th in the league in points per game. What is the level of this decline? Nash's rookie coaching career is only in its second season, and many of his ideas still originated in D'Antoni. In the design of the Nets' offensive system, Irving is a key player.
Nash of the Nets was happy, and Irving made up his mind. After his return, he has said many times that he will help the team win the championship. The Big Three have only played a total of 9 games, and this season is a good time to win the championship.
Pay a fine of 100,000 to play at home
Just today, the Nets have another good news, Irving can not only play in the away game, but also in the home game, but also need to pay a fine. According to Executive Order No. 225 issued by the Mayor of New York, any person or entity that violates the rules will be fined not less than $1,000; if the person or entity violates the rules again within 12 months, the person or entity will be fined not less than $2,000; and subsequently, the person or entity will be fined not less than $5,000 for each violation of the rules within a 12-month period.
In the worst-case scenario, Irving was fined $5,000 for every home game he played. The Nets have about 20 home games left, which is enough to fine $100,000. Whether the Nets pay the fine or Irving himself, this fine is completely affordable.