The Nets are locked in a play-in spot, looking to get out of the 10th and final spot with just four games to go, a place they were hardly expected to be coming into a season loaded with title aspirations.
But Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status, Kevin Durant’s MCL injury, Joe Harris’ ankle surgeries, and James Harden’s unhappiness all led to this point, though many still believe Brooklyn can reach the Finals if things come together at the right time. But what do the Nets themselves think after a trying season that was supposed to be their year to dominate the East behind their star-studded trio?
“We'll see. We'll see,” Irving told the New York Post on Tuesday when asked if his group still had enough to win it all. “You can't predict the future as of right now. Anytime I try to do that, God has a way of making humble me. So you know, I'm just going to take it one day at a time.”
This season has certainly been humbling, as Brooklyn is just two games above .500 despite having two of the most talented players in the NBA. Ben Simmons was expected to help ease the absence of Harden and give the defense a much-needed boost, but back problems has eliminated him from the regular season and the play-in, meaning he could never suit up this season if the Nets don’t survive next week. Considering Irving’s shooting struggles since returning to full-time play and Brooklyn’s recent struggles (the team has lost three of four), it isn’t a guarantee that they will escape the play-in.
Asked what needs to happen to help the Nets improve their play-in positioning over the final four games, Irving told the Daily News that “lineup efficiency” will have to tighten up, a potential gripe with head coach Steve Nash’s rotations, which have been under scrutiny by a large portion of the fanbase, and even Harden, for much of the season.
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