Nets fans, prepare for a season you’ve never seen before
By Aaron Notis
The Brooklyn Nets are entering uncharted territory in 2020-21.
Sometimes I watch something happen in complete disbelief. The moment that Kevin Durant, the greatest basketball scorer of all time, announced that he was coming to the Nets was one of those times. The Nets? The other New York team? Jay-Z’s old team? It was an unbelievable moment in Nets history.
The Nets were starting to win New York.
I must admit, even after the contracts were signed, it seemed too good to be true. With each practice video displaying Durant in his pre-injury form, I patiently waited to see him in that Brooklyn Nets black uniform. Then, and only then, I would believe that Durant was really in Brooklyn, and the Nets were a contender for this year’s Larry O’Brien trophy.
When I saw him last Sunday, I finally became a believer.
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It took months, and Durant forced us to wait out his unanticipated injuries. But last Sunday, the team’s first preseason game against the Wizards, was a sight for sore eyes. Durant and his pal Kyrie Irving shined during their time on the floor, combining for 33 points and trampling on the Wizards.
New York’s “small-market” basketball team now has some of the best players in the world. Brooklyn is now a destination team for the greatest players of all time.
And yet, I’m still a bit befuddled. I’ve always relied on the Nets to provide me with something about which to complain, something that I could pinpoint that they needed to improve.
I chose my scapegoats carefully in Isaiah Whitehead, Derrick Favors, Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham, and Rodions Kurucs, taking a deep breath and shaking my head whenever they entered a game. With the current, extremely well-constructed, detailed roster, I no longer have a scapegoat. Landry Shamet will fit right in, and once Caris LeVert and Nic Claxton get healthy, this team will be as good as their healthy players. However, this is new territory for Nets fans, and I, for one, still don’t know what to expect.
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After Sunday’s game, I see that this team will take a little bit of time to heat up. We have to wait patiently as they blend together. What’s a few more minutes when you’ve been waiting years?
I’ll admit that I found myself complaining during Sunday’s game anytime a shot was missed. Not every player is a star, let alone a good shooter. But I was already spoiled by simply anticipating greatness. I’d bet other Nets fans made this mistake and recognize the futility of their behavior. I’ll be more patient during the next game.
This is the most exciting time to be a Nets fan. I’ve spent my whole life waiting for the Nets to escape the endless cycle of mediocrity and rise to the top of the NBA. I watched Devin Harris torch fools in New Jersey, Deron Williams attempt to be the savior in Jersey and Brooklyn, and Andrea Bargnani look to revive his losing career. Yes, I’ll admit that I miss the D’Angelo Russell and Theo Pinson era. However, we are entering a season of high hopes. Brooklyn will be facing its first great season since the move in 2012. Now more than ever, we have to stay patient, stay true to our team, and wait for the playoffs.
The Nets have finally given us a team to root for, and when their season starts on December 22, I’ll be rooting.
