It has been a tough time for anyone that has been following and even possibly backed the Brooklyn Nets to win the NBA 2022 Championship this season but they remain favorites
Indeed, many will have been expecting the franchise to be amongst the contenders for the title given the roster that they boast.
Of course, the team are still highly favoured as favorites to be crowned the overall winners, as PointsBet sportsbook offers odds for Brooklyn Nets fans interested in betting on them. Given the first half of the campaign, many would have found it hard not to back them, either.
However, there may be questions about their credentials of being NBA Finals champions this season amid the various situations the team finds itself in, although this does not appear to have had a negative impact on the odds that continue to be offered by sportsbooks.
Brooklyn Nets Still Favorites At Mid-Way Point In NBA 2022
Indeed, as we enter the mid-way point of the 2021-22 NBA season, it is incredibly hard not to have serious doubts about the Brooklyn Nets at the moment, especially as they face a number of huge personnel problems that the team will need to manage to cope with that include the so-called “Big Three” that the franchise has on its roster: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.
Kevin Durant injury News, Status, Report, Return Date
Let’s begin with Kevin Durant and his recent injury issue, as this could cause the Nets some issues going forward for a short period of time. The veteran power forward has been unavailable for selection since the middle of January after suffering a knee injury that many would have believed was simply sprained.
Kevin Durant injury update: Nets star sprains MCL vs. Pelicans; optimism he returns in 4-6 weeks, per reporthttps://t.co/ax6gQtyi8H pic.twitter.com/4NWHxO9yh5
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) January 16, 2022
However, he has since had further tests on the severity of the injury and the diagnosis was not good news. It has been revealed that Durant has a sprained medial collateral on his left knee and this injury could take between four and six weeks for him to fully recover. Indeed, in basketball terms, that is a significant portion of the season where the organization will be without him.
It would be wise to expect him to take the full six weeks to recover given how Brooklyn has been relatively cautious when it comes down to injuries that have been sustained to other players on its roster in the past. This means it is unlikely he will return to the basketball court until the beginning of March.
Kyrie Irving’s Part-Time Status
Now, the situation regarding Kyrie Irving is a messy one for everyone involved and one that is a rather delicate subject given the problems that are faced. Indeed, as he has refused to get the vaccine, he has been unable to participate in any of the home games to have been played so far, whilst he has also been unable to participate in any of the fixtures against the Toronto Raptors due to the regulations that New York and Canada have both adopted.
The point forward is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in the NBA and throughout the league’s history, and he has shown that he can be incredibly effective when he is able to lace up his sneakers and get on the court in away games. His season debut as a part-time player saw him help the Nets record a 129-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers in which he recorded 22 points, three rebounds, and four assists in the 31 minutes he played.
He is clearly a big miss for the team in New York, as the franchise has struggled in comparison up to this point compared to their away record as we go just beyond the mid-way point of the season. However, the injury to Durant has not helped them, either.
A Messy Situation Involving James Harden
Finally, let’s take a look at James Harden and the problems that are currently being faced by the Brooklyn Nets with one of the league’s most prolific scorers. Indeed, whilst he is yet to really reach the heights that we all expect of him, perhaps due to the injuries that he had suffered last season, there has been a host of unwanted and unneeded noise to begin to emanate away from the court regarding the star shooter.
One of the biggest concerns that are currently being faced is in regard to Harden’s future in New York, with the point guard being rumored to be potentially part of a trade in the offseason, with it being suggested that he could look to complete a trade to Philadelphia. Although that might not be for a while, there is every chance that this will cause a number of unwanted distractions which could have an impact on the way he plays and performs.
Issues Run Deep For Harden
Furthermore, it has recently emerged that there seems to be an apparent problem between him and Irving, whilst there are rumored to be other frustrations to have been brewing over a period of time. Harden is said to be frustrated with Irving’s part-time status, whilst it has also been suggested that he is not happy with coach Steve Nash as he is disappointed with the rotations that are being made.
To cap it all off, it has also been suggested that Harden simply is not happy being in New York and is finding it difficult to enjoy life in the city, which is why trade rumors have started to circulate. He has never expressed a desire to leave the Nets and is thought to be all-in on trying to bring an NBA Championship title to the organization, though.
Adversity Might Actually Help The Brooklyn Nets And Make Them NBA 2022 Favorites
Of course, with everything currently going on, it is hard to remain as confident about the Brooklyn Nets and the team’s chances of winning the NBA Championship this season. However, adversity has always played a rather interesting role and does often bring out the best in people and sports teams. Who knows, perhaps the problems currently being faced will only make the Nets stronger?