NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 3: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets seems to be up after making a 3 pointer towards the Miami Warmth at Barclays Middle on March 3, 2022 within the Brooklyn borough of New York Metropolis. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Pictures License Settlement. (Photograph by Michelle Farsi/Getty Pictures)
The Brooklyn Nets at present sit at eighth within the Jap Convention with a 32-32 document on the season. What’s loopy about it’s, they’re solely 2.5 video games up on the Washington Wizards who’re in twelfth.
That’s proper. The almighty Nets who shaped one of many biggest super-teams of all time final yr are simply 2.5 video games away from being knocked out of the play-in altogether.
In actuality, there’s little or no probability they let themselves fall that far down the standings. In all probability, Brooklyn will nab the eighth seed within the playoffs this yr.
Can Kevin Durant drag the Brooklyn Nets to a championship?
However that also places them very distant from their finish purpose of a championship. Certain, getting some injured gamers again will assist, however this Nets run will finally come down to at least one man – Kevin Durant.
When Durant performs this season, the Nets are 24-13. When he doesn’t play, they’re 8-19. That’s a fairly stark distinction, particularly with how shut they’re to being knocked out of the play-in.
Nonetheless, Durant is again now. He made his return to the court towards the Miami Warmth on Thursday night time, and though Miami took residence the win, Durant managed to place up 31 factors in his return.
It wasn’t essentially the most environment friendly 31 on this planet, however the truth that the Nets, who’ve been struggling mightily, solely misplaced to the Warmth by six exhibits the impression one participant can have.
Certain, having each Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons obtainable to play will definitely increase the Nets, but when they need any probability at a championship, issues are going to run via Durant.
Is that going to occur this season? In all probability not. However Durant is likely one of the few gamers within the NBA that’s ok to pull a group to a championship on his personal.
Once more, it’s not very doubtless, but when the Nets can drag themselves into the playoffs, perhaps Durant can drag all of them the way in which to a title. He’s simply that good.
