The 2020-2021 NBA season is full steam ahead and there have been some exciting games going on. From watching the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry, to Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks. But the one team that has brought back the most excitement is the Brooklyn Nets. They acquired two superstars, Kevin Durant this current off season and Kyrie the previous season, but  remember KD was out for the 2019-2020 season due to an achilles injury. Nets fans thought things couldn’t get any better until the signing of one of the best one on one players in the NBA, James Harden. He had to get out of Houston and did everything he could to get to Brooklyn and made it happen. Now there’s a new big three everyone, including Lebron James, should have on their radar. Today’s topic is “The New ‘Big Three’?”

Before the New “Big Three” (2013):

This isn’t the first time Brooklyn has tried to put together a “Big Three”. Back in the 2013 offseason the Nets made a blockbuster trade to get Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics. To add to their roster they also acquired Joe Johnson and Derron Williams, who were All-Star caliber players as well. The Nets had high expectations from the media, fans and the players, but it didn’t work out to be all they imagined. Here’s some highlights from the Nets 2013-2014 season. 

They ended the season going 44-38, which earned them a sixth seed in the playoffs. The sixth seed is definitely not even close to a first seed. What went wrong? Maybe too much star power and not enough team chemistry? A Lot of teams have the idea that the more stars they have on the team, the better, which isn’t true whatsoever. If you have a team full of stars everyone will demand the ball, and it can only be in one player’s hand at a time. Pierce ended up signing with the Washington Wizards in the 2014 offseason. Another reason why they failed was because Pierce and Garnett were clearly past their primes and not the cornerpieces the Nets needed to excel. 

The New “Big Three” (2020):

Headed into the 2020-2021 season, the Nets acquired Kevin Durant, which created a new big three for Brooklyn. It was all about KD, Kyrie, and Deandre Jordan until early in the season the Nets snagged James Harden. Now KD, Kyrie, and Harden all will put on a Nets jersey and the fans are going crazy for this trade. They’re all incredible one on one players and shot creators, so to have all this talent on one team should be illegal. 

The first-year head coach, Steve Nash, got dealt a killer combination so it’ll be interesting how he will make this work. So let’s take it back a few years where KD and Harden first became teammates on a very young OKC team. They had their share of problems, which led to Harden and KD leaving OKC leaving Westbrook to fend for himself, but now they’re reunited they’ve both matured a bit and learned how to play with each other. Harden loves to score and can score whenever he pleases, but with KD on the floor he wants to make him a better player and let him have his spotlight as well. 

Durant is definitely the best shooter for his size, Harden is the best one on one scorer in the league, and Irving is a multilevel scorer, who can handle the ball and score the three ball just as well. Plus the Nets have Joe Harris, who’s a sharpshooter, and Deandre Jordan who is a key role player for the Nets. 

Many are curious to see how the big three will work together because one of them is going to have to sacrifice something in order for them to be successful as a team. This is the problem with having so much star power on one team. We haven’t had a chance to see the three play together on the same floor because Kyrie has been dealing with personal issues and hasn’t played in over two weeks.

The main question is… “Who is willing to be the third option out of the three?” At the moment, KD and Harden are carrying the Nets. They just clinched a clutch win beating the Bucks. It’s amazing how well Durant and Harden have gelled together and they have combined for 138 points in their first two games together for Brooklyn. This sets the record for the second most combined points for teammates in their first two games in Franchise history. 

When will Kyrie return? Or will he return at all? He’s been busy fighting social justice issues, which is important and appreciated by everyone, but how important is basketball to him at the moment? He’s been neglecting the Covid-19 protocols and missing games for no apparent reason and he’s been fined $50,000 by the NBA and up to $870,000 in penalties. He makes about $410,000 per game, but was fined for not appearing in two games due to quarantining for attending a family function with more than 15 people in attendance. 

So with Harden being there to support Durant, the Nets aren’t suffering for Kyrie not playing, but just imagine how good the Nets can be with all three on the floor at the same time? I think every team in the NBA needs to be prepared to face off a high caliber Nets team. It’s definitely possible for them to win a title, but at the same time it’s a toss up to who will win this year with all the other powerhouses out there. Let’s see if they can live up to the hype as one of the best Big Threes in NBA history. I mean if they’re the highest paid trio in NBA history earning $115 million this season, then they better bring it to the floor. 

The “Big Three” finally made their season debut together on January 20th. So how do you think they look on the floor together? How do you think they will perform as a team and finish the season? I know it’s early in the season, but the Nets are looking good and I think they have a fair shot at earning that ring. Let us know in the comments below.