O'Neill: "The chances of winning the title don't often come across, and if Irving were in my squad, I would definitely beat him!" ”
【I can't get used to it】
On January 23, 2022, Beijing time, NBA celebrity "Big Shark" O'Neal talked about his views on Irving's reluctance to vaccinate in a "The Big Podcast" program.
O'Neill's exact words were: "We all know the fact that there are only a few chances to win the title, and you have to take those opportunities as much as possible; now Irving can only play away games, which is extremely bad for the team, if Irving is in my team, I will definitely beat him!" ”
【Team Situation】
1. As of January 24, 2022, the Nets have a record of 29 wins and 17 losses, temporarily ranking second in the East.
As of January 24, 2022, Durant has missed three games for the Nets, and the Nets have a record of 2 wins and 1 loss.
★ It is worth mentioning that because the Nets are all away from home in these three games, Irving can play, but the Nets will return to the home court to face the Lakers and Nuggets in succession, and Irving will not be able to participate in these two games according to the regulations.
Another piece of news for the Nets is that big forward Millsap is no longer willing to stay in Brooklyn; according to Shams, Millsap has reached an agreement with the Nets that the Nets will help him find a team where he can get playing time.
【Wounded soldiers full of battalions/core absences】
Durant suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee during a Nets- vs. Cavaliers game and is expected to return to the game in 4-6 weeks.
2. Nets shooter Joe Harris underwent ankle surgery on November 30, and the Nets expected him to return to the game in 4-8 weeks, but Nash said in an interview with reporters that Joha's ankle injury had recurred and the recovery process did not meet expectations.
【Ranking】
1, now the Nets lag behind the Heat at the top of the Eastern Conference 0.5 wins, the gap can be said to be minimal, the Nets have the opportunity to complete the rebound at any time, once again to the top of the Eastern Conference.
2. The Bulls, Bucks and Nets, who are temporarily in third and fourth place in the East, are only 1 win apart, and the ranking of these three teams is likely to change due to one game.
【Dilemma】
★ Even if Durant can't play due to injury, Irving is not willing to lower his posture to get vaccinated, which has led to the current Nets' dilemma! According to NBA reporter Brett Siegel, the Nets are expected to seek a full-fledged scorer by the trade deadline.
△ The situation of the Nets can be said to have never been unprecedented in history; the team has never been so eager to play more away games than home games, because in away games their attacker Irving can play, but his home game home player Irving can only watch from the sidelines.
【A little opinion】
If the Nets can now be sure in advance that Irving won't be vaccinated against COVID-19 this season, then I think the Nets could consider releasing water in the next game, as long as the team can make sure they make the playoffs, for the following reasons;
1. The Nets, which do not have a home advantage in the playoffs, Irving can get one more chance to play in each round of the series; for this year's Nets, the away game is the real home.
2. The Nets, who gave up the ranking, can give Durant and Harden enough rest time in the remaining games.