A disappointing season ended in a disappointing way for the Brooklyn Nets at the hands of the Boston Celtics. A clean 4-0 sweep sent the Nets packing in a year that looked like they could come out on top, even despite ups and downs and personnel controversy.
After Kyrie Irving’s fine-inducing fan interaction in the road loss Game One, the highlight throughout the series at large was the total absence of Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons. Dealt to Brooklyn in the deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in February, the almost seven-feet-tall guard was eyed to be the impact player mental roadblocks have prohibited from being in recent years.
He didn’t play a single game for the Nets this season.
Amidst the Irving Covid vaccination ordeal earlier in the season, and Kevin Durant’s knee injury, the Nets likely regret bringing in a third problem to the dysfunction. Though he characteristically forced his way out, watching Harden lead his new team into the second round must sting more than they’d ever publicly admit.
The Nets have had Durant and Irving together for two seasons now, and have brought in big name after big name to try and compliment them. All they have to show for it thus far? Two playoff exits without a championship trophy in-hand. Names can only get you so far; the game has to be played by the team – not the big three, super two, or one-and-a-half men.
GAME ONE Jayson Tatum’s buzzer-beater depleted the lethargic Brooklyn defense beyond reproach.
GAME TWO Durant and Irving did not shoot well enough to carry the role players around them over Boston.
GAME THREE The homebound Nets were promptly embarrassed on the Barclays floor. They never tied or took a lead after the first quarter. Durant and Irving were neutralized once more—the opposite of a winning formula.
GAME FOUR One last gasp would wind up the last. The Celtics should be given more credit than the commentators will assign them. It was more their victory than it was Brooklyn’s loss, despite the latter’s underperformance based on expectations. Boston has constructed a team of players who get the job done, not egos who can’t.
FINAL TAKEAWAYS In a series where they, even as a two-seed, were not as heavily favored, and when the lights shined brightest, they made a major statement.
Back to the drawing board the Nets go, it appears. Durant can become a free agent this summer, and pursue a better situation if he chooses (he’s done it before). The same goes for Irving, whose unparalleled ball-handling on the court wouldn’t change the fact he’d be far less missed than Durant should he decide to depart.
Excitement, interest and viewership were as grand as ever, but the Nets couldn’t be the sure lock to make it to the finals and win it like the consensus once envisioned. If Durant and Irving do return, they should improve, but that’s assuming they stay on the court. And we all know the pitfalls of assuming.
