USA Today via Reuters
Dec 30, 2020; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket while being defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill (18) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 30, 2020; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket while being defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill (18) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets have had a shaky start to the season. The new-look Brooklyn squad has a 3-3 record so far and haven’t looked the be the almighty championship contenders that everyone expected them to be. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have looked fantastic this season, but the team has been weakened with the injury of Spencer Dinwiddie.
Thomas talks Nets’ Defensive Concerns
Former NBA Champion Isiah Thomas spoke about the concerns surrounding the Nets’ start this season. Thomas believes that while the team has been excellent offensively, their defensive deficiencies will hold them back from their true championship caliber. Additionally, Thomas believes they must find a way to replace Spencer Dinwiddie as the season goes forward.
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“In order for this team to be an elite team…they’re going to have to continue to be a better defensive team.” @IsiahThomas on the Nets finding their rhythm on defense. pic.twitter.com/p4wEEuSF8Z
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 3, 2021
“Well, the thing that concerns me right now is that defensively they just haven’t found their group. We know what they’re capable of, offensively. But in order for this team to be an elite team and really get to the championship level that we all believe that they can get to, they’re going to have to continue to become a better defensive team.”
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Brooklyn Nets must bring some reinforcements
Thomas added that the Nets must try to find defenders to compensate for the lack of defensive stalwarts in their team. “With Dinwiddie going out, definitely hurts them, so finding that third player that can fit with Irving and Durant on the floor as a facilitator is something they are going to have to find. And also they’re going to need a defensive stopper out front.”
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 1, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks small forward De’Andre Hunter (back) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas knows what it takes to be an NBA Champion. He and the ‘Bad Boy’ Detroit Pistons dominated the NBA in the late 1980s and even got the better of the legendary Michael Jordan and the Bulls on multiple occasions. However, Thomas will know that the Nets do have championship experience on their team.
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Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have won a combined three NBA Championships, and know what it takes to reach the mountain top. The two players will try to get the Nets back to title relevance once again. Perhaps they will communicate to the front office to bring a new defender into the team to compensate for the loss of Dinwiddie.
