Nothin' But Nets
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets: Blake Griffin reacts to people ripping Nets for signing him

By Adam Weinrib

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center on March 21, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Wizards 113-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center on March 21, 2021 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Wizards 113-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets have done a prolific job of adding marquee names to the roster well beyond the start of the 2020-21 season.

Nobody expected Brooklyn would be led by James Harden when they opened the campaign with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, now did they?

Nobody expected the “extended” buyout market to include potential Hall of Famers in Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Much to the chagrin of the rest of the league, the Nets secured the services of all of these people — who’ve thrived while Durant and Irving have actually rested on the back burner.

There’s the irony, though, right?

NBA Twitter decides some team is “unfair” at a certain point because they’re, well … well-stocked. Once you have a “Big 3” featuring three of the greatest offensive players in league history, every addition thereafter is going to get mocked for being excessive.

But wait, because I just want to make sure I’ve got the Twitter narratives straight. Two weeks ago, I thought we were all laughing about how Blake Griffin was washed? And now that he’s joined the Nets, it’s unholy and they’ve crossed a line, right?

Griffin himself was able to laugh at this notion — of course he was — and delivered a great quote about the whole situation this week.

Blake Griffin laughed at the idea the Nets are “too good” now.

Yes, that’s exactly right, Blake.

And, besides, I can’t remember, so someone refresh my memory. Is it good or bad to add good players when the opportunity arises? Like, adding veterans who’ve regressed in their old age in order to potentially get 10 good minutes from them in a Finals game … is that evil? Did the Nets invent that?

Because the world is trying to tell me the Nets invented that.

Head coach Steve Nash also commented on the fervor that’s surrounded his recent additions, and summed it up coolly and calmly.

So much in the NBA is based on luck, no matter how much star power you’ve assembled. Even the Golden State Warriors, the most unholy collection of talent ever seen together on one court, collapsed at the finish line against the Cavs and lost player after player in a gory Finals loss to the Raptors. Anything can happen.

Which is why it’s beyond ridiculous to compare the Nets adding two rejected players at the buzzer. If Aldridge looks rejuvenated like Griffin has when he appears in his first game, then wonderful! It still won’t be the tipping point between dominance and unfairness.