(Translator's note: This article is written by Sports News writer Gilbert McGregor, and the time in this article is Eastern Time.) ）
The Nets' roller coaster-like end of the season came much earlier than many expected.
At the beginning of the season, the Nets were still a championship favorite; by the end of the regular season, the Nets were in the playoffs; and in the first round of the playoffs, the Nets were swept out by the Celtics.
How did a championship favourite get to the point where it couldn't win even one game in the first round of the playoffs? It is conceivable that a series of events eventually led to the Decline of the Nets.
That's how things got to this point.
Aug. 6, 2021: Before the start of the NBA's 2021-22 season, Durant signed a four-year, $198 million contract extension that will serve the Nets until 2026. After Durant's contract extension, people's attention came to James Harden and Kyrie Irving, who will soon be eligible for an early contract extension with the Nets.
September 27, 2021: Irving was confirmed not to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore did not attend the Nets' media day for the new season. Due to New York's rules for unvaccinated people, Irving will not be able to play at home. At Zoom's video conference, when asked if he wanted to play home in the new season, Irving asked reporters to respect their privacy.
October 11, 2021: After Irving was allowed to train at the basketball court, head coach Steve Nash admitted that Irving will not be able to play at home in the new season.
Oct. 12, 2021: Nets general manager Sean Marks issued a statement saying that until Irving is vaccinated as a full-time player, he will not play or train with the team, and the Nets' "Big Three" will become the "Big Two" with it.
Oct. 13, 2021: While participating in the "The Glue Guys" podcast, Shams revealed that the Nets will not offer Irving a contract extension.
Oct. 18, 2021: Harden did not reach a contract extension agreement with the Nets before the renewal deadline.
Oct. 19, 2021: In the opening game of the new season, the Nets lost to the Bucks by 23 points. When asked in an interview after the game that he hadn't chosen to renew his contract, Harden said "I'm not going to leave [the Nets]."
November 29, 2021: Nets top scorer Joe Harris is expected to miss 4-8 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle.
Dec. 14, 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Nets, with Harden becoming the seventh player to trigger a health-safety agreement.
December 17, 2021: Due to the lack of manpower, the Nets changed the rules, announcing that they would allow Irving to return to the team as a part-time player and play in away games.
Dec. 18, 2021: Irving becomes the 10th player to trigger a health-safety agreement with the Nets, which was previously triggered by Harden and Durant. As a result, several matches were postponed.
Jan. 1, 2022: The Nets enter the new year with a record of 23 wins and 11 losses, when they ranked second in the East.
January 5, 2022: After missing the team's first 35 games, Irving returns from the road to the Pacers, scoring 22 points and helping the team win.
Jan. 12, 2022: The Nets beat the then-No. 1 seed bulls in the East 138-112, a game that also seemed like a reminder of how terrifying the Big Three of Durant, Irving and Harden was. But it was the last time the three of them would play for the Nets at the same time.
January 15, 2022: Durant suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his win over the Pelicans and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks. At the time of Durant's injury, the Nets remained second in the East with a record of 27 wins and 15 losses.
On January 26, 2022, a report from Jake Fischer, a reporter for the Open Stand, leaked out, suggesting that Harden would "welcome new scenery" in the 2022-23 season.
Feb. 2, 2022: The Nets lost to the Kings by 11 points on the road, suffering a six-game losing streak. Harden scored just four points on 2-of-11 shooting. It was his last game for the Nets.
Feb. 5, 2022: Harden is sidelined with a hamstring injury, with reports that he is frustrated with his days in Brooklyn and open to trades. 76ers are one of the potential next families.
Feb. 10, 2022 (trade deadline): After a few days of rumors, Harden was traded to the 76ers, and the Nets got Three-time All-Star Player Ben Simmons, who hasn't played since June 2021. In addition, they got Seth Curry and Andre Drummond from the 76ers.
Feb. 26, 2022: Ben Simmons still hasn't made his Nets debut, and the team says his recovery is a daily observation process.
March 3, 2022: Durant returns after missing 21 games, but the Nets still lose 107-113 to the Heat. The Nets' record rose to 32-32 and dropped to eighth in the East.
March 10, 2022: Simmons is still unable to play, and was ridiculed by Philadelphia fans as he sat on the bench in the Nets' 29-point margin over the 76ers.
March 16, 2022: With less than a month to go before the end of the regular season, Simmons says he "hopes" to play before the end of the regular season.
March 21, 2022: The Nets announced that Joe Harris, who has been out since last November, had his second ankle surgery and will miss all the remaining games of the season. Later in the day, sources revealed that Simmons was dealing with a herniated disc in his back.
March 23, 2022: New York Mayor Eric Adams will soon be repealing the private sector vaccination rules and Irving will be allowed to play at home and make his home debut on March 27.
March 26, 2022: Irving hinted he wouldn't leave the Nets, saying "I can't leave my brother in the number 7 shirt."
April 10, 2022: The Nets ended the regular season with a record of 44 wins and 38 losses, becoming the seventh seed in the East, meaning they will be in the playoffs. Notably, after Jan. 15, the Nets' record was just 17 wins and 23 losses, including an 11-game losing streak. Simmons hasn't played a single regular season game.
April 12, 2022: The Nets beat the Cavaliers 115-108 in a playoff to playoff first-round against the Celtics. Although Simmons hasn't played a single game this season, there are reports that Simmons plans to make his Nets debut in the first round of G4 or G5 (if the series can reach Game 5).
April 17, 2022: Jason Tatum scored a last-second layup in the game, with the Nets losing G1 114-115.
April 24, 2022: The Nets series is facing a big score of 3-0 behind, but Simmons has encountered problems again and will continue to miss G4 and make his Nets debut.
April 25, 2022: The Nets were swept out by the Celtics in the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs.
By Gilbert McGregor
Compilation: Can't hold the basket at all