On March 19, Beijing time, the Nets won 128-123 at home to the Blazers, and Irving still could not play. After this campaign, the Nets are eighth in the East with 37 wins and 30 losses, 2.5 wins away from the seventh-place Raptors, 3.5 wins from the sixth-place Cavaliers, and 1.5 wins ahead of the ninth-place Hawks. Looking at the current situation, the Nets have to play the playoffs.
Durant played 38 minutes, shooting 11-of-15, 2-of-3 from three-point range, 14-of-15 from the free throw line, 38 points, 6 boards and 6 assists, and eight turnovers. The Nets were lighter today, trailing by 13 points from 62-75 in the first half, but thankfully they woke up in time in the second half. Seth Curry returned, shooting 9-of-14 from the field, 7-of-11 from three-point range to 27 points, 3 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals, plus or minus +15.
Durant and Curry Jr. teamed up to score 65 points, accounting for half of the Nets' points, and this is the legendary Duku fit? Curry Jr.'s last appearance was back to March 11 against Philadelphia, where he scored 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting and 4-of-8 three-pointers. Cut 51 points on 11-of-19 three-pointers in two games, don't take Seth curry!
Curry Jr. has played in 45 games for Philadelphia this season, averaging 15 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game, shooting 48.5% from the field and 40% from three-point range; he played 12 games for the Nets, averaging 31.8 minutes per game, 16.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting 50% from the field and 47.6% from three-point range, which is too efficient!
Once the opponent packs Durant, Curry Jr. can get the shot space, and he will not waste the opportunity. Especially when Irving can't play at home, KD needs a helper who averages more than 15 points per game. Curry Jr.'s current contract is $32 million for four years, which expires in the summer of 2023 and he can stay with the Nets next season.
In the original trade between Simmons and Harden, Seth Curry and Drummond were sent to the Nets as trade additions. Now Zhuang Shen also played a brilliant performance, he played 23 minutes in this game, 17 points and 9 rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting. In the last game against the Lone Ranger, Zhuang Shen played 22 minutes and had 14 points and 17 rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting.
Zhuang Shen's defense does have problems, the defensive defenders can't go out, and the anti-block demolition can't be brought back. But he also has his own strengths: improving the Nets' rim protection ability, and the individual offense is also stronger than Clarkston. And Zhuang Shen's frontcourt rebounding ability is outstanding, and in the last two games, he has grabbed 14 frontcourt boards alone.
As the saying goes, "Trees move to death, people move to live." "Some players can't play is not incompetent, it may just not be suitable for this team. Judging from the dozen games after the trade, Chuang Shen and Little Curry are perfectly integrated into the Nets' system. So the question arises: what about Simmons, the main body of the transaction? When will he make a comeback?
Nash said in an interview today: "After the MRI examination, Simmons had a strain on his back and there is still no timetable for his return. In addition, Simmons received an epidural anesthesia to speed up recovery from back injuries. Simmons, who had high hopes from the Nets, had not played a game, but Curry Jr. and Zhuang Shen played.
One thing to say: Are you bullish on Simmons' prospects for the Nets?