A review of how the 2021-22 NBA season began and the development of the Nets amidst their struggles.
- Jamieson
- Oct 28, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated:May 6, 2022
During the 2021-22 NBA season, we see a rise of teams featuring the Big Three, but it's important to ask how many of these teams can truly harness their potential and make a strong start.
Los Angeles Lakers - LAL - featuring stars LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis.
Despite having only participated in five matches this season, LeBron James, as the Lakers' captain, faced setbacks with a right ankle injury that kept him out for two consecutive games. While Anthony Davis contributed 30 points and Russell Westbrook had a notable performance as part of their trio, the team’s defensive effort faltered in the second half, allowing the Thunder to mount a comeback.
According to analysis from 'ESPN Stats & Info', the Lakers have historically had a perfect record, winning 230 consecutive games over the past 25 seasons whenever they had a lead of 25 points or more. Yet, in today's matchup, despite being ahead by 26 points, they were unable to hold onto their lead against the Thunder.
Prior to their four consecutive losses this season, the Lakers' overly relaxed performance in the second half was their downfall. As a seasoned team, they had players like Carmelo Anthony, Rondo, Howard, Bradley, and DeAndre Jordan on the court, yet they made critical errors by underestimating their opponents.
Brooklyn Nets - BKN - featuring stars Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.
At the onset of the season, the Nets were regarded as strong contenders for the championship. However, after the first five games, they found themselves with only two wins and three losses, which is below a 50% success rate. Kevin Durant openly expressed, 'We really feel Kyrie Irving's absence, yet it was his choice, and we can't interfere with that decision.'
During last season's playoffs and the Olympics, Durant consistently carried the team, averaging 29.8 points and 5.0 assists in the initial five games of this season. Nevertheless, the Nets are struggling offensively, ranking 24th in efficiency, a challenge exacerbated by James Harden’s slow start and Irving’s absence.
This year, the NBA has taken a firmer stance on enforcing rules, penalizing physical altercations that were previously overlooked, along with serious intentional fouls resulting in offensive penalties.
James Harden has struggled to adjust to these new rules, averaging only 16.6 points in his first five games. This is a stark decline compared to last season's average of 24.6 points, alongside 8.5 rebounds and 10.9 assists, shooting 47.1% overall with 36.6% from beyond the arc.
Kyrie Irving has yet to fully rejoin the team this season, with the Nets officially prohibiting him from participating in team activities or games in any city until he fully complies with health regulations.
The Nets even made a public statement saying: 'We don’t need part-time players!'
Milwaukee Bucks - MIL - featuring Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jrue Holiday.
The Bucks are currently facing challenges due to Jrue Holiday's absence and the inconsistent performance of Khris Middleton. After five games, they hold a record of three wins and two losses. The Bucks stand out as an elite team featuring a Big Three, especially when compared to the Lakers and Nets.
It's not entirely fair to place the blame on Middleton; every player fulfills a unique role, and during Holiday’s absence, if Middleton fails to exceed 20 points like he did against the Pacers and Spurs, it simply highlights the gap left by Holiday's absence.