The NBA deadline saw a blockbuster trade, with Ben Simmons and Harden swapping owners and leaving the 76ers to join the Nets. So why are the Nets willing to take over the West?
The Nets know they can't keep Harden anymore, and he's likely to jump out of his contract this offseason to join the 76ers. That being the case, it would be better to act early and use Harden to exchange chips from the 76ers, and the biggest chip is undoubtedly Ben Simmons.
Without Harden, the Nets' offensive ability will certainly decline, but after getting Ben Simmons, their strength will become more balanced.
First, Bency brought the defense. He has been defensive for a while, theoretically going from the number one to the fifth position. Last season, Simmons' defensive efficiency was 106.1, fourth in the league; sixth in defensive win contributions, and fifth in 1.6 steals per game. With him, the 76ers have a defensive efficiency of 107.4, the second in the league.
The Biggest Problem with the Nets? defend! This season's defensive efficiency value is 111.4, only 20th, not as good as the Lakers! Bency's joining, at least to a large extent, can bring up and promotion.
Second, Bency also has the ability to organize the ball. Since joining the NBA, he has averaged 8.2, 7.7, 8 and 6.9 assists per game every season, although not as raw as Ha's average of 10+ assists per game, but it has been very good and stable.
Simmons is in charge of passing and defending, Irving can concentrate on breaking through, Durant can concentrate on scoring, and the division of labor of the Big Three is more clear and theoretically complementary.
Of course, Simmons also has his own weaknesses. First, the three-point shooting ability is insufficient, and last season's three-point shooting rate was only 30%. But don't forget, the Nets also got Curry Jr., who shot 45 percent from three-point range last season and 40 percent this season to make up for Bency's shortcomings.
Second, the key moments are afraid to score. For example, in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, he only shot three times in the fourth quarter of his seven games, five of which he did not shoot at all. But when it comes to the Nets, it doesn't matter, because with Durant, with Irving, they can shoot as much as they want.