The Brooklyn Nets WILL NOT win the NBA Title

The formation of superteams has become one of the most controversial topics around the NBA. Some people argue that we should allow players to choose where they want to play and that superteams make the league more marketable. Others argue that players should be trying to beat each other, not join each other and that superteams make the league less competitive.

It’s up to you where you fall on this spectrum, but there’s no doubt that we’ve seen the creation of another superteam with James Harden moving to Brooklyn to play alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

The scoring power on the Nets is greater than that of when Durant moved to the Warriors. Durant has 4 scoring titles, Harden has 3 and Irving is a tremendous scorer in his own right. Is this move enough to win the Net the title?

I don’t think so, and here’s why.

There’s only 1 ball

When NBA fans are asked about who they would have in their starting lineup, you’re very likely to get 5 All-Star caliber players named. People usually choose who they think is the best in the league at each position.

Whilst it may be fun to watch 5 All-Stars on 1 team play a game or two, this doesn’t automatically make them a good team. The quality of players is very important, but chemistry and whether or not players compliment each other is pivotal to the success of any basketball team.

Right now the Brooklyn Nets’ 3 stars are all primarily known for their scoring. Yes, Harden is a good passer and Durant is ok as well, but that still doesn’t change the fact that the Nets don’t have a good balance on their squad.

All Durant, Harden, and Irving all need the ball in their hands to be at their most effective. Harden is not a spot-up shooter, Irving is not a spot-up shooter, Durant is not a spot-up shooter. Yes, all 3 players can shoot, but that’s not who they are, mentally. They all want the ball in their hands at the top of the court on every play, but now they have to share.

They will be able to win games through sheer star-power alone, but when it comes down to facing tough, well-structured teams in the latter stages of the Playoffs, they will struggle. 

The Los Angeles Lakers

Right now the Lakers have to be the favorite to win the title again. They have the best record in the NBA (13-4) and are cruising on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they are 4th in Team FG% (48.5%) and 8th in Team PPG (114.3). Defensively, they are 5th in opposing team FG% (44.6%) and 2nd in opposing PPG (104.3).

LAL is a team that has a clear purpose and structure; every guy knows his role, plays it well and there’s no off-court drama to distract the players. They are well-coached and have LeBron James as their leader with Anthony Davis as the number 2.

Remember what I said earlier about chemistry and players complementing each other? Well, the Laker’s squad has a great balance of shooting, ball-handling, inside presence, and scoring distribution. They have 6 different players all averaging at least 10 PPG, which gives the much-needed rest LeBron needs as the season progresses.

Only the LA Clippers look like they can challenge the Lakers, but I can’t see them beating the Lakers in a 7-game series. 

If the Nets make it out of the East, they will most likely be facing a well-drilled, experienced, and balanced team in the Finals…and my money is on the Lakers.

Steve Nash

Coaching matters a lot, and a lot more than people think it does. The coach is ultimately responsible for leading and running the team from the sidelines. They make all the big decisions like who plays and who doesn’t, what plays are run, and how the team will prepare and adjust from one game to the next.

Having a good coach is vital for any team to succeed, but it is especially important in the Playoffs and Finals. If you’re down by 3 with 12 seconds to go in a big game then you need someone with the poise and experience to make sure that nobody panics and that an effective plan is still executed. Gregg Popovich is the king in these situations because he’s done it so many times before.

Steve Nash never made it to the NBA Finals as a player, so he doesn’t know what the atmosphere is like when your team is down and all the players look to you for an answer. Nash has an incredibly competent basketball mind, but I’m not sold on his ability to lead this Brooklyn Nets team to the promised land…at least not yet.