NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The NBA is starting the second half of this season at the exact time that last season came to an abrupt halt because of COVID-19.
Everyone remembers where they were when they learned that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus.
The Nets were in the middle of a West Coast road trip and were preparing to play the Warriors in San Francisco without fans.
Chris Carrino, the radio voice of the Nets on WFAN, was traveling with the team.
Carrino recalled, “You went from having the late season West Coast swing where it’s going to be very busy for us, to flying home knowing you have nothing on the calendar now. It was surreal.”
Now a year later, the Nets are one of the biggest stories in the NBA with the “Big 3” of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
Brooklyn finished the first half winning 10 out of 11. All but one of those games were without Durant, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
“They are putting up historic offensive numbers and when Durant gets back, you would expect that’s only going to continue and even get better if that’s even possible,” said Carrino.
During the All-Star break, the Nets added even more star power: 6-time All-Star Blake Griffin, who will provide frontcourt depth.
“Their whole goal is to win a championship,” Carrino said. “If they see that Blake Griffin can help in that regard, then they will find a role for him. If they can’t, he will not play.”
Related
It’s one more reason why the Nets are a must-watch as well as a legitimate championship contender.
Check out the full interview with Chris as he also breaks down the Nets’ keys to success and details the latest with his Chris Carrino Foundation for FSHD.