Brooklyn Nets: 3 reasons they’re still undeniable NBA Finals favorites
By Josh Wilson
Why the Brooklyn Nets should be NBA Finals favorites: Stars used to star dynamics
The dynamics of playing alongside other star players can be strange. The first year of the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh trio in Miami did not turn out a title. There was noted friction with Kevin Durant’s first year in Golden State.
The three-headed monster in Brooklyn, though, is relatively well-adjusted to the dynamics of intense levels of star players. And in fact, one of the reasons they’ve been so good is due to James Harden’s somewhat surprising surrender to his ball-dominant role for the betterment of the team.
Kevin Durant played with one of the most talented teams of all-time alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Kyrie Irving played alongside LeBron James. Harden, though he hasn’t been a part of a “Big 3” per se before this team, did play with Russell Westbrook in Houston, and before each of the three players experienced a major jump to stardom played alongside Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City.
Again, not without friction. Durant and Green in Golden State got into public shouting matches:
Green was suspended by the team for the incident.
Kyrie wanted out of Cleveland because he felt like a disrespected No. 2 to James.
But since, these players have learned and matured, realizing that the dynamics of a team with so much star power need to be balanced in order for the team to win.
Irving’s maturation was in the public eye:
Kyrie on calling LeBron: “The responsibility of being the best in the world and leading your team is something that is not meant for many people. … Only few are meant for it, or chosen for it, and I feel like the best person to call was him."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 17, 2019
The Green public confrontation with Durant ended with an apology from Green as well. While maybe that says more about Green than Durant, it’s an example of how Durant has had to go through the roller-coaster ride of emotions and personalities that come with playing on talented teams.
What does this mean for their title run, though? It certainly gives the Nets a bit of an advantage, and maybe a hedge against the implosion that could come from a surprise early-series loss that prevents it from spilling into a quick slip-and-slide to a disappointing postseason exit.
Ultimately, personalities and chemistry matter in the postseason. So far, it looks like a major strength of the Nets roster.