During the summer, Vegas favored the Brooklyn Nets as the favorite to nab both Durant and Irving.
Kyrie Irving’s Nets, NY Ties Could Affect Free Agency Decision – https://t.co/iAQYCqLHi5 pic.twitter.com/xjveLICPee
— Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) February 24, 2019
Irving will play this season as the Nets’ starting point guard. On the mend, Durant will likely suit up next season as he rehabs his Achilles injury from last season.
Million Dollar Question: How will the Nets do without Durant?
“I don’t know, I’ll be real,” Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes told me on the Scoop B Radio Podcast.
“They had a real great season and a lot of pieces came together, made something happen. They did a hell of a job with that roster. But now they’re bringing Kyrie Irving, who is one of the best. He’s a stud, man! He’s one of the best finishers below the rim in NBA history, period. I’m talking all time! That’s how much I believe in his game. But what Kyrie Irving are they getting? Are they getting the Boston Celtics Kyrie? Or the Cleveland Kyrie? So that’s what I want to look for. I’m not asking about his game, but how he moves, his leadership qualities. That’s what I want to see. So instead of getting Kyrie and seeing if he’s in a good position to lead, you know he’s gonna ball out; if they get that Boston Kyrie, that could be a team that makes the Playoffs. If it gets that bad. But I don’t see that, I see Kyrie’s going to bounce back. I see about three other teams that are coming up over Brooklyn without KD. They just want to build some continuity. I think they’re just holding on until KD gets back.”
Haynes joins other NBA notables who think the most of the Nets this season.
NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal tells me he likes what the Nets are doing. “Jay-Z gave them a little steam when he said he was the owner,” he said.
“He’s going to be there with KD so they should make a lot of noise. Only unfortunate part for the first time in New York history the Knicks aren’t the important team. That’s kind of funny to me.”
ESPN’s Jalen Rose told me over the weekend that he likes the revamp of the Nets as well as the Clippers.
Lakers, Knicks fans will LOVE THIS! ESPN’s Jalen Rose says Clippers and Nets are the B-Team in their respective markets. pic.twitter.com/CmuruNZx44
— Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) October 19, 2019
“Don’t get it twisted, I appreciate what the Clippers and the Nets have done,” he told me.
“But let’s not act like they’re not the B-teams in their own market. . . What changes that? Winning.
