The Brooklyn Nets have secured their spot in the play-in tournament and also secured home-court advantage against the Cleveland Cavaliers, after a crucial win against them over the weekend. The Nets are considered outside favorites to win the NBA championship this season but will have a long road in the playoffs if they want to make that come true. Charles Barkley believes they have a strong chance to do so.
Charles Barkley spoke about the Brooklyn Nets on Inside The NBA on TNT. Disagreeing with Shaquille O’Neal about the Nets, Chuck noted that other than Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Jayson Tatum, the Nets will have the two best players in every series they play. He noted how Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving could be enough to help carry the Nets all the way to the NBA Finals (2:09 onwards).
“Brooklyn to me, in every series… Brooklyn are going to have the two best players in every series. They are gonna have the two best players in every series. They play Miami, they have the two best players on their team. Other than Giannis, Embiid, and Tatum, they’re going to have the two best players in every series. They got a chance. I would not want to play Brooklyn personally because they’re the best… That Brooklyn team is scary. Especially with Drummond coming off the bench. Kyrie and Kevin are the two. In my opinion, Giannis is the best player in the league. But the two best players, unsoppable in 1 on 1 situations in the NBA today are Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. They can single handedly win 4 games out of 7.”
The Nets will be hoping to reach the NBA Finals, especially now that they have Kyrie Irving available to play full time. Irving and Durant, on their day, have to be considered among the best duos in the NBA right now. KD and Kyrie are incredibly gifted on the offensive end of the court and can cause problems for any other team in the league.
The Nets will also be hoping they can get Ben Simmons back soon. Simmons has been progressing pain-free in recent weeks, and the Nets are hoping he continues to do so. If he can develop well, Simmons could return for the playoffs. Simmons is one of the best defenders in the league, something the Nets desperately need. His presence could propel them to being the best team in the league.
