Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush to the Finals Redo

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

PLAY-IN TOURNEY

TUESDAY

Cleveland Cavaliers

vs.

BROOKLYN NETS

Flatbush Avenue

The Sean Marks Plan: Take Two

There were preexisting reasons why, as a fan, I didn't like James Harden.  However, I reconsidered my position after his arrival.  All credit to him, as Harden's performance last season convinced me otherwise.  

But with Sean Marks' vision within sight heading into the 2020-2021 playoffs, the general manager's plan got derailed first when James Harden's lack of conditioning (as part of his instigated exit from Houston) caught up with him, and down the stretch, his hamstring gave out, and secondly, when Milwaukee Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo undercut Kyrie Irving resulting in a playoff-ending ankle sprain.  I believe the latter more than Harden's hammy cost Brooklyn a championship.  That's how I saw it then and remains how I view it today.

Meanwhile, the Covid pandemic has remained troublesome for all and even more so for others.  Even then, people have a right to decide upon their own well-being methods and personal health.  It's a touchy topic and, in some cases, a divisive element in daily life, even pitting family members against family members.

James Harden simply wasn't down with Brooklyn's situation, i.e., Kyrie Irving, not to mention being in disagreement with Kevin Durant over what to do about it.  Everyone was willing to wait out the process and politics except him.

What pisses me off is the acquisition of James Harden cost the Nets my all-time favorite Brooklyn player, Jarrett Allen.  I'm still upset by that, even more so now, considering how Harden bailed on Flatbush.  Moreover, the Nets will now face Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first game of the NBA's play-in tourney.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are finally on the floor together and free from restrictions.  Coach Nash clearly needs contributions from everybody, sometimes the extraordinary variety.  The new NBA Play-In format is a minefield of trouble.  But make no mistake, it's up to the two Brooklyn Buddies to get this shit done!