For eight straight seasons, LeBron James ruled the Eastern Conference. He helped the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers make it all the way to the NBA Finals in four seasons each.
Evidently, when James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, it opened the path to the NBA Finals for many teams. So much so that since James’ departure from the Eastern Conference, fans have seen four different teams represent the East in the NBA Finals.
But who will be the next team to do so? Well, popular NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith believes that Brooklyn Nets have a real shot at making it to the NBA Finals next season. The biggest reason for it is that the Nets have a superb trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons on their roster.
.@stephenasmith still has high expectations for the Nets next season 👀
"Kevin Durant when healthy I believe is the best player in the world. … I think that Brooklyn could easily represent the East in the NBA Finals." pic.twitter.com/9OySFFmKr2
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 24, 2022
“Let me say this to you about the Brooklyn Nets. Kevin Durant, when healthy, I believe is the best player in the world. Kyrie Irving is a showstopper, he’s box office. And the acquisition of Ben Simmons, I know it’s asking a lot, I’m making the assumption that they’re going to play. I recognize that it is a big assumption, based on their recent history, I understand that.
But Kyrie is looking for a $200 million contract now. Zach LaVine got it in Chicago, Bradley Beal got it in the nation’s capital. How come he can’t get it? He couldn’t get it because he couldn’t be trusted. He’s got to remind everybody and ensure everybody that he can be trusted because that’s really it. His ability is not what’s holding him back from getting him that $200 million extra. The problem with him is that he can’t be trusted. He’s got to show that he’s trusted.
You, Ben Simmons, after what you been through last year, he seems in a better place, okay? Well, guess what, you gonna be on the court. Keep in mind, that, unlike Harden, Ben Simmons is an elite defender. Unlike Harden, Ben Simmons don’t need the ball in order to be what you need him to be.
So the fact that KD and Kyrie has the offense going through them, you still got Patty Mills, you still got Seth Curry, you still got Joe Harris coming back. The fact that you got these dudes, these snippers, these sharpshooters that can hit from the perimeter with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
I’m sorry, I look at the Brooklyn Nets and all you have to show me that you gonna come to work every day and you committed to the season. I think that Brooklyn could easily represent the East in the NBA Finals.”
The Eastern Conference has several other amazing teams. But if the Nets can stay healthy and away from shenanigans, they are arguably the best team in their conference.
However, the Nets have been through a lot of drama this offseason. After seeing a lot of ups and downs, the Nets have finally convinced KD to stay with the team. But will Durant’s return to the team be seen as positive by fans? We will find out in the near future.
