The Brooklyn Nets open the 2020-2021 NBA season as the very first game being played this year going up against Kevin Durant’s former team, the Golden State Warriors. We have to address the elephant in the room right off the bat. This game would be so much different if the superstar SG for the Warriors, Klay Thompson, was playing. Unfortunately, he ended his season while running with his dog in California in the offseason, suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. That happened after missing the entirety of last season with an ACL tear. Get well soon, Klay.
Now let’s get into the game preview with the players who are actually playing. The Nets starting lineup for Tuesday night will presumably be Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, and Jarrett Allen. They will match up nicely against the small-ball Warriors who will be starting Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr, Draymond Green, and rookie center James Wiseman.
Kyrie Irving guarded Steph Curry in three straight Finals, and Kevin Durant was his teammate for two full seasons. They are all very familiar with each other’s game. Kevin Durant is a matchup nightmare wherever he lines up on the floor, so don’t be surprised if we see him play some Center in this contest to intimidate the rookie, Wiseman. With Harris and LeVert spacing the floor and creating shot opportunities for the two stars and Jarrett Allen being a beast on the offensive boards, this is as good a Nets team that we’ve seen since 2001.
The Warriors took James Wiseman with the number 2 overall pick in this past draft after he played less than half of his college season because of some off the court issues by the NCAA. Klay Thompson had gotten hurt after the draft, or the Warriors likely would’ve selected LaMelo Ball to replace him at SG. Both rosters are fully healthy now, the Warriors have gotten used to life without Klay, and the Nets are getting used to life with their two superstars running the floor. Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre Jr are going to have to try their best to fill Klay’s shoes in this one, but I don’t see it happening. The Nets should win this game, and here are three more reasons why. They’re at home against KD’s former team, all of the new coaches want to make a good first impression, and they want to make Kevin Durant’s Nets debut more spectacular than Kyrie’s was. I just wish the Brooklyn faithful could be there in person to witness another historic moment in the Nets franchise history.
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