With the NBA season in full swing, many are predicting an NBA Finals between the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers. For good reason too. The Lakers got better in free agency after winning the Finals last season, rare considering championship teams usually lose some talent going into the following year. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets now have a fully rested and healed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to couple with an all-around talented roster. With that being said, the Nets seem to be the biggest threat to the defending champions this season. Let’s take a closer look at why the Lakers should be more concerned with Brooklyn compared to some inner conference rivals.
Brooklyn Nets: Los Angeles’ Biggest Threat
Brooklyn Nets: A Well Established Roster
Anytime you have two of the biggest superstars in the league, you are going to be ahead of the curve. However, as any savvy basketball mind will tell you, it takes an entire team to win a championship. A great team is exactly what the Brooklyn Nets have. We already know about the star duo of KD and Uncle Drew, but the Nets also have great depth and excellent auxiliary pieces to surround their stars.
Players like Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie (who is now out for the season unfortunately with a torn ACL) have steadily increased their scoring production year after year. On top of this, Brooklyn also has one of the deadliest sharpshooters in the game in Joe Harris and a couple of solid rim protectors in Jarrett Allen, and a veteran post presence in DeAndre Jordan. Say what you will about Durant and Irving, one has to admit those on a team with that talented of a supporting cast is a legitimate title contender.
Other Potential Threats to the Lakers’ Throne
The Lakers are going to have a lot more competition outside of Brooklyn still. The Clippers are still hungry to face the quote on quote “big brother,” in a seven-game series. The Denver Nuggets are looking to improve yet again this season and maybe exact some revenge. There is also the Philadelphia 76ers who seem to be thriving under their new head coach, Doc Rivers. Not to mention, the Eastern Conference champions from last season in the Miami Heat and a newly re-vamped Milwaukee Bucks squad. However, none of these teams have a key denominator that the Brooklyn Nets possess.
None of the teams listed have a superstar who has gone toe to toe with LeBron James in a championship setting and won. Sure, Kawhi Leonard faced James back in his San Antonio Spurs days, but that was before he became a top-five player in the league. Kevin Durant has guarded King James and won the matchup, and even hit a dagger or two in LeBron James’ face. Certainly juicy details for those who like to argue Durant is better than James in today’s NBA.
Plus, one has to believe that Kyrie Irving has something to prove against his former star teammate. The new narrative is that Kyrie cannot get it done without LeBron. Winning a title in Brooklyn would certainly change that and give Irving an extra consolation prize if the Nets were to defeat the Lakers in a championship series. With this in mind, it is clear that the Brooklyn Nets have the best shot at knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers this year.
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