---- The only things more irrelevant than the AP/Coaches college football polls are the AP/Coaches college basketball polls.
---- Kyrie says the Nets need "one or two more pieces" in addition to him, Durant, and the Nets current roster to win an NBA championship.
Assuming Durant will be back to his old self next season, Irving must really think LeBron is a helluva lot better than Durant. Especially since the 73-9 Warriors superteam that Irving and LeBron knocked off has evaporated into the ether.
What am I on about? Let's review the key 2020 Nets supporting cast, and compare them to the 2016 Cavs supporting cast that won it all with Kyrie and LeBron.
2020 Nets:
Sure, that roster isn't going to blow you away, but there's at least half a dozen good players. And, remember, it also includes Irving and Durant.
Now let's examine the 2016 Cavaliers "supporting cast" (no disrespect to Love):
Hmmm. So who's better?
2016 Kevin Love was still important in getting the Cavs to the Finals, and is clearly the best player on either "supporting cast" list when healthy. Tristan Thompson had a great 2016 Finals. Simplest way to compare is probably to list them again, combined, from best to worst. Nets in bold:
A lot of bold at the top of that list. If winning is what he really cares about, maybe Uncle Drew should have stayed in Cleveland with Lebron.
---- Kyrie says the Nets need "one or two more pieces" in addition to him, Durant, and the Nets current roster to win an NBA championship.
Assuming Durant will be back to his old self next season, Irving must really think LeBron is a helluva lot better than Durant. Especially since the 73-9 Warriors superteam that Irving and LeBron knocked off has evaporated into the ether.
What am I on about? Let's review the key 2020 Nets supporting cast, and compare them to the 2016 Cavs supporting cast that won it all with Kyrie and LeBron.
2020 Nets:
- Spencer Dinwiddie (possible All-Star, averaging 22 points and 6.5 assists)
- Caris Levert
- Jarret Allen (averaging a double-double with 1.3 blocks)
- Joe Harris
- DeAndre Jordan
- Taurean Prince
- Garret Temple
- Rodions Kurucs
- Wilson Chandler (when he's not injured)
Sure, that roster isn't going to blow you away, but there's at least half a dozen good players. And, remember, it also includes Irving and Durant.
Now let's examine the 2016 Cavaliers "supporting cast" (no disrespect to Love):
- Kevin Love (only played 1.5 games of the 2016 Finals after suffering concussion)
- Tristan Thompson
- Richard Jefferson (age 35)
- J.R. Smith
- Matthew Dellavedova
- Channing Frye
- Iman Shumpert
- Timofey Mozgov
- Mo Williams in his 15th (and final) season
Hmmm. So who's better?
2016 Kevin Love was still important in getting the Cavs to the Finals, and is clearly the best player on either "supporting cast" list when healthy. Tristan Thompson had a great 2016 Finals. Simplest way to compare is probably to list them again, combined, from best to worst. Nets in bold:
- Kevin Love (caveat that he did not contribute in 2016 Finals outside of game 1)
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Tristan Thompson (listed this high because of how well he played in playoffs. I'd take regular-season Allen and possibly Jordan over him.)
- Caris Levert
- Jarret Allen
- Joe Harris
- Deandre Jordan
- Taurean Prince
- Richard Jefferson (only averaged 5 ppg in Finals, but played a key role)
- Garret Temple
- J.R. Smith
- Rodions Kurucs
- Matthew Dellavedova
- Channing Frye
- Iman Shumpert
- Wilson Chandler (if he can stay healthy, I'd move him above J.R. Smith)
- Timofey Mozgov
- Mo Williams
A lot of bold at the top of that list. If winning is what he really cares about, maybe Uncle Drew should have stayed in Cleveland with Lebron.
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