After months of protesting and refusing to get vaccinations, Irving was able to return to Brooklyn as a full-time player on Sunday. In his home debut, Irving scored 16 points in a Nets loss to the Charlotte Hornets. After all the build-up and noise about how Irving should be able to play, he returns and has a below-average performance. The Nets have other issues besides having a key player hokey pokey his way in and out of the lineup all season, but Irving is supposed to be the missing piece to a long playoff run. James Harden can't fall back on when Irving says he needs time off for something. Ben Simmons hasn't played a game for the Nets since he was traded over a month ago. He has been spotted at games, but no one knows when he will make his Nets debut. Simmons hasn't checked into an NBA game since last summer because of a back injury. Nets fans will probably not see Simmons in a Nets uniform until next season. Simmons was able to help keep LaMelo Ball in check against the Hornets. Ball had 33 points and nine assists on Brooklyn. Simmons is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league and would have made things difficult for Ball had he played. The Nets are ranked 22nd in defensive rating. Simmons will help improve that rating whenever he suits up. The Nets will likely face off against the Hornets in the play-in tournament after the Hornets loss.
It has been one issue after another in Brooklyn since Kevin Durant arrived. He missed the first year because of an injury. Irving missed a lot of time last season after the Capitol Hill invasion. Brooklyn trades for Harden and then throws in the towel on the Nets barely a year later. He became the voice of the voiceless and missed half the season. The replacement for Harden is yet to play with the other two. The Nets have been nothing more than a soap opera. KD wants to hoop. He must be frustrated by all this extra stuff.
At best, he is the second-best player in the NBA. I don't know if he can overcome all the troubles in Brooklyn, because he has been a great weapon during his career. The franchise can't seem to go more than two months without something dramatic happening.
There are no excuses for Brooklyn. The one that goes out the window is because Kyrie is back full-time. Assuming the Nets get through the play-in, it will be an uphill battle, no matter who the Nets face in the first round. If Brooklyn doesn't advance past the play-in, it's going to take a long time for this organization.
It's time for him to back up his claims that they didn't have a coach in Brooklyn. When the Nets need a leader more than ever, it's time to be a leader. I would love to see them succeed. I don't know if Irving has what it takes to lead there.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
