The Brooklyn Nets just fell to their second loss of the season in a hard-fought contest against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Nets were coming off their first win of the season while the Grizzlies were coming off a brutal 41-point loss at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. The Grizzlies found their offensive rhythm after stumbling in Dallas to score 137 points against the Nets in a 10-point win.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving scored 37 points each while Ja Morant and Desmond Bane scored 38 each, making it the first game since 1983 when multiple players on each team had 35+ point games. Despite the offensive mastery, the Nets clearly struggled defensively and wasted a 74-point night from Irving and KD. Fans weren’t happy about the loss but appreciated the show KD and Kyrie put on.
Nets vs. Grizz was the first NBA game since 1983 where each team had multiple 35+ point scorers 😳 pic.twitter.com/j6HTmvoWEZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/jkubatko/status/1584734854721437696
Wasting 74 points from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant is tough
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) October 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/RealCodyMallory/status/1584725300721876993
Kyrie Irving has a one of a kind bag pic.twitter.com/daqYAnW21b
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) October 25, 2022
Best duo in the league got out played by Desmond bane
— 𝒹𝓊𝓁🌵💫 (@onlybronn) October 25, 2022
Hurts to see my goat KD fighting for his life like it's game 7 against the Grizzlies but I need the Nets to get washed.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 25, 2022
Nets fans finding out Ben Simmons can’t guard all 5 opponents at once pic.twitter.com/dzVEL2MRBC
— 4pf🧛🏻♂️💋 (@zawday) October 25, 2022
Refs when the Grizzles commit fouls pic.twitter.com/FjKf4JxgwD
— Cancun Stan Account (@DjStank1225) October 25, 2022
BEN AND NASH https://t.co/tfFz9A85Fm
— Nets Insider (@notoriousbknets) October 25, 2022
Get Kyrie sum help!!! He had 21 in the 4th quarter 🤬
— 🥷🏼 (@ItsfckingOver) October 25, 2022
Fire Nash
— Mike Kiel (@KielShot) October 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/drewmjones34/status/1584734948917121024
Knicks run NY 😂
— #ChavezOUT 🦈 (@LindorSZN) October 25, 2022
The Nets need help in so many places right now; it seems the roster might not be ready to make a title run. With Kyrie Irving’s free agency coming up, it’ll be very interesting to see whether this is the Nets’ ‘Last Dance’ in their current iteration.
Can The Nets Challenge For The Title?
After Kevin Durant announced he withdrew his trade request, the Nets’ shot up lists for possible champions. On paper, the squad has two electric scorers, a DPOY-caliber guard/forward in Ben Simmons, and lights-out shooters like Seth Curry and Joe Harris, while also having a smattering of rotational wings like Royce O’Neale and TJ Warren.
Ben Simmons’ struggles on the court have really hurt the Nets, as they need him to take a bigger role to contend. Also, playing Simmons at the 5 is not helping the Nets defensively, so they should prioritize looking for moves that can help them get an upgrade on Nicolas Claxton. The perennially available Myles Turner could be a great fit.
Wings are not easy to find for cheap in the NBA, so the Nets have to make it work with the rotational players they have. Simmons’ versatility allows him to fill minutes in this position, along with KD being the primary forward on the roster, anyway. The pieces are there, but it depends on the moves the Nets make and whether players like Simmons can improve their level of play.
