‘That’s How the Cookie Crumbles Sometimes’ – Shaquille O Neal Gives His Take on the Brooklyn Nets Season

The 2020-21 season for the Brooklyn Nets came to a close yesterday, following a 111-115 overtime loss to Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks. In a series that tested both mental and physical toughness, the Bucks edged out a hobbled Brooklyn in a Game 7 on the road.

Kevin Durant gave it his all, putting up historic numbers including 49pts/17reb/10ast in Game 5 and 48pts/9reb/6ast in Game 7 at home. Durant also validated his argument for Best Player on the planet, averaging 34.3ppg/9.3rpg/4.4apg in these playoffs.

The Nets entered the season as the favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals. And while their record prior to the Harden acquisition was sub-par, the newly formed Big 3 in Brooklyn lit up the NBA.

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But, with injuries in key moments to Durant (thigh contusion), Harden (hamstring), and Kyrie’s multiple absences, the team could not get enough reps to build the levels of chemistry. Even with the addition of veteran Blake Griffin, the Nets fell short in a series, that saw Irving go down with a sprain, and Harden who prematurely returned, be a shell of himself on the court.

Shaquille O’ Neal gives his take

4-time champion and 3-time FMVP Shaquille O’ Neal is no stranger to the grueling intensity of the playoffs. The Hall of Famer gave his take about the Nets season, during the post-game show on NBA on TNT.

He commented saying – “It’s all gonna depend on health. They were just one jump shot away from moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals.” Shaq added that “If they are healthy like the team was built around 3 all-stars if they’re all healthy, they should go pretty far.”

O’ Neal also called out NBA fans who have resorted to state health as the primary reason for their team’s shortcomings. Even though Brooklyn was nursing injuries, the Bucks deserve the credit for the win. He said “I’m sure there’s gonna be everybody’s excuse, oh we only lost cuz all our 3 here. That’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes.” 

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Shaq lauded the Bucks for handling the business on their end and closing the deal in Game 7. Milwaukee came back from down 0-2, and also defended home court on all 3 occasions. He responded by saying – “Like Kevin Durant said, Kudos to the Milwaukee Bucks they did what they had to do. They came in a hostile place and won game 7.”

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Durant who had a monstrous game had the opportunity to seal the game on the final play in regulation. The clutch shot in PJ Tucker’s face saw the Nets send the game into overtime, where KD lost out simply because he was exhausted.

What’s next for the Brooklyn Nets?

What the future holds for Brooklyn is not yet clear. Shaq concluded his take on the Nets season and future by commenting, “It all will be based on the health of the Big 3 in Brooklyn.” While the trio of Harden, Kyrie, and Durant is the greatest offensive combination ever assembled, defense wins championships. And therefore, that should be Marks’ key focus heading into next year.

Given that the series did not end the way most thought it would, the misplaced slander on Durant’s inability to win without super teams will be in full swing. But it would be in poor taste if one were to not discard that argument and not acknowledge KD’s greatness in carrying his team in Games 5 through 7!