Where Do We Go From Here? (Brooklyn Nets Edition)

I'll be honest and say that whereas I already knew the Nets damn sure weren't contenders (without Simmons), I never imagined that the Celtics would sweep them in such a dominating and embarrassing fashion.  Watching how Brooklyn performed in Game 3 almost brought tears to my eyes.  But as I have implied, Boston has the best perimeter defense in the league.  So this was bound to happen once a worthy defense locked in on Kyrie and KD, since the Nets don't play with any actual strategy.

The good thing about their situation, unlike other disappointing teams like the Lakers and probably soon-to-be the Jazz, is that the answer to the Nets problems, Ben Simmons, is already on their roster.  Once Joe Harris returns and if Simmons also suits up, the Nets should be the favorites to take the East, regardless of who wins it this year.  And it also wouldn't hurt if perhaps Andre Drummond shed a few pounds in the meantime.

There's this part in The Last Dance where they highlight how Scottie Pippen, due to his feelings being hurt at the time, refused to participate in a single pivotal play during a playoff game.  Well Ben Simmons has refused to play in an entire series, and he isn't catching nowhere near the flack Pippen did.  And I've already said it in the past, that if Ben Simmons has become that disenchanted with the NBA, then maybe he should just quit already.  It's better than giving fans of whatever team he's on false hope that he may return when needed.

Also, Steve Nash's leadership is suspect.  But I'm not going to go as far as to say that he should be replaced.  As I have also stated in the past, coaching these superstar teams isn't easy, because no matter what, dudes like KD and Kyrie are going to do what they want on the court anyway.  This same approach may have yielded better results in times past.  But occasionally putting up 50+ points doesn't mean that you're still in your prime.  But now, maybe people will stop already with that KD being 'the best player in the NBA' and Kyrie 'the best scorer in the game', lmao.

CONCLUSION

So now, Ben Simmons and Rich Paul are reportedly polying with the Nets.  These are the same type of Simmons' headlines that have been coming out all season.  And like I said before, there's no guarantee that he's ever coming back.

But Kyrie seems prepared to tough it out.  And you have to believe that he and KD are really going to come back with a vengeance next season.  So I'm already saying it now.  Despite those two being past their primes, if Simmons plays next season and everyone remains relatively healthy, the Nets are taking the East unless some other team makes a major powermove over the postseason.  But if Simmons finally decides to quit that'll be a sign of relief for many fans also, as those same funds can be used to go after someone more helpful, though I can't think of a player who would fit better with this roster.