• LaMarcus Aldridge shared his experience of playing on the 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets
• He reckoned it was some of the simplest basketball he’s played
• Aldridge unceremoniously stepped away from the team due to a health scare that forced his retirement
The 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets could have won the NBA Championship if injuries didn’t cause them to collapse in the playoffs. After trading for James Harden, the team went and signed buyout candidates like LaMarcus Aldridge and looked unstoppable. Aldridge opened up on his experience of playing on the Nets and said it was the simplest basketball he ever played.
“Playing with those guys, it was crazy how simple the game became. My first season, I remember we running a play where I went for a pin-down for KD and he was so good that he just turned and the ball was in my hands for a dunk. This is stupid how easy this was.”
"Playing with those guys, it was crazy how simple the game became… This is stupid how easy this was."
LaMarcus Aldridge on playing with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, & James Harden on the Nets 🗣
(via @oddballhoops)pic.twitter.com/20hbT23dn4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 13, 2023
Aldridge averaged 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in his short stint with the Nets which ended after cardiac problems caused him to step back from basketball. Though he attempted a comeback last season and almost signed with the Dallas Mavericks in the winter, it never ended up materializing and Aldridge has been out of the NBA.
The Brooklyn Nets Could Have Won A Title
For all the hate that Steve Nash got for his short coaching stint on the Nets, there is no doubt that he found a way to make the offense click almost instantly. Harden and Irving were an incredible backcourt duo, with Harden taking on playmaking responsibilities while Irving was primarily a scorer.
Kevin Durant plugged into any frontcourt role due to his increased defensive focus and efficient scoring. It was some of the smoothest basketball fits we had seen with a superstar trio in years. If Kyrie Irving and Harden hadn’t gone down in the playoffs, it’s hard to definitively say that they wouldn’t have won the title.
They lost in the second round to the Milwaukee Bucks before disagreements with Kyrie over vaccination led to the James Harden trade to the 76ers, and the blowing up of the team one season later. Irving would be traded to Dallas and Durant would be shipped to Phoenix.
The Modern-Day Nets Are Very Exciting
The Brooklyn Nets managed to pivot from the Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant era to build an exciting young core that could ensure the team remains in playoff conversations for the foreseeable future. Mikal Bridges emerged as a star after joining the Nets in the KD trade, averaging 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists with the Nets.
Unfortunately, the new-look Nets weren’t stacking that many wins after losing their star duo, so they need to add players to make themselves stronger. they have very tradeable contracts and players to further add future assets or push for win-now moves.
A point guard would be the ideal addition to this team. there is still potential to be got from Cam Thomas, while Bridges along with Dorian Finney-Smith or Royce O’Neale are perfectly decent options in the frontcourt. Nic Claxton is the center, so upgrading from Spencer Dinwiddie for a better playmaker who can tie their talented roster together could be the move.
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