Offensively this Nets teams had elite potential even before Harden. Adding Harden with Irivng, Durant and Harris will make them close to unguardable. That's 4 good to great shooting threats to surround whomever they play at center. Their big 3 is arguably the most talented/best big 3 since the Heatles. That said, there are legitimate concerns - How will Harden/Irving/Durant fit. They should in theory fit fine. Neither Irving or Durant needs the ball as much as Harden. Irving avg 5.5 minutes in 18-19 as a Celtic and Durant 4.2 minutes per game as a Warrior in 18-19. If Harden reduces his historic level (MDA) level of ball control to his pre MDA rockets number (around 6-7 minutes) there should be plenty of basketball to go around. Question is - how/can/will Harden adjust his game. Furthermore all three are rythym players, how will a reduction in touches affect their game. Durant and Kyrie are both great spot up shooters, but even while paired with Lebron/Curry, far less ball dominant players than Harden, both occasionally bristled at not getting enough touches/shots. Largest concern - Harden/Irving/Harris are going to be terrible perimeter defenders. With Durant probably the only good defender in their rotation, will the Nets be able to stop anyone in the playoffs? The nets were one of the favorites to win the East prior to Harden. They were a very good team, with a ton of depths. Adding Harden increases their talent substantially while sacrificing a great deal of depth and added further defensive problems. IMO they are still one of the favorites to win the East and SHOULD win it. But I wouldn't be surprise if they lose in ECF to the sixers or bucks either.
I dont buy all this one ball crap. The pieces can easily fit. Durant can play off the ball and will get plenty of open looks because of Harden and Kyrie's playmaking. That's Durant's strength. Kyrie and Harden will help each other with ball handling and generating looks for teammates. Kyrie's ball handling in the clutch takes pressure off Harden just like CP did it in Houston. All 3 are threat from the dep and threat at the rim.
I think they will fit well on the offensive end. I’m curious about the defense. Minus KD they really don’t have one who excels on that end of the floor. I don’t know much about TLC though. Also trading Allen hurts them the most. He was their rim protector. I don’t think DJ is that anymore.
Best case for Rockets.. Kyrie retire.. KD suffers a setback, and Harden gets frustrated and leaves for Philly in 2 years.. destroying the franchise And no I'm not hoping for a Durant injury.. just saying best case
Pecking order/Hierarchy 1) Durant 2) Kyrie 3) Harden That's the only way this team can be optimized and be a dangerous title contender. If Kyrie and Harden start thinking they need to get theirs and not fall in line , they're not getting out of the East. Miami and Milwaukee have more cohesiveness, pieces that fit on the court and no high maintenance divas
I’ll watch some games and pull for the Nets to win a championship. I don’t like how Harden handled his exit but he also doesn’t get a fare shake for how good he has been. I’d like to see him win a ring this year then have the Nets implode for the next 5.
Don't know why the first thing that popped into my pea brain was, "Birds of a Feather..." (P.S.) You're a bigger man than me because I won't be rooting for Harden... ....... ....... .......