Kyrie Irving Is Back. Yay?

From the return of Kyrie to the Western Conference bloodbath, here is everything I noticed from last night’s slate of games.

Kyrie Irving Coming Back To The Nets Is…Weird

After months of talking about one man’s vaccination status, we finally have a break in the Kyrie Irving saga. Irving still isn’t vaccinated, he won’t be getting that done until he gets some celery injected into his veins, but the Nets are bringing him back as a part-time player.

Irving hasn’t played a single game this season due to his vaccination status. Irving can now practice and play on the road with the Nets. Irving could have done this from the beginning of the season, but Brooklyn didn’t do that.

But now, as Covid is ravaging the Nets like the plague, the Nets are bringing back Irving. Here are my thoughts.

The Fun Factor/Past Success

Before I go on an unnecessary, long-winded rant that sucks the life out of your day, there’s is one absolute about Irving’s return to the floor. It’s going to be fun.

Of the few truths in life, getting enjoyment out of watching these 3 guys play is for certain. Having 3 of the greatest offensive players ever will do that.

If not for injuries, the Nets would have won the 2021 title. I don’t think there’s any point in debating that. In limited action together, they were unstoppable.

The Brooklyn Big 3 (Regular Season)

119.6 ORtg
112.5 DRtg
7.2 Net Rating
64.0 points
+4.3 plus/minus
(6-2 record)

The Brooklyn Big 3 (Playoffs)

6 games
135.4 ORtg
113.3 DRtg
22.1 Net Rating
61.3 points
+3.1 plus/minus
104 points in a game

The Nets Big 3 played just 14 games last season. They were a combined 11-3 in all of those games. Again, there’s no denying that this team won’t be fun. Now onto the more serious stuff.

Awkwardness

I hate when people use the word chemistry with this trio. Not only do they genuinely enjoy playing with each other, chemistry isn’t the most important thing in the world with this level of talent. A better word to me is awkwardness.

Irving can only play on the road this season (not in Canada). If the Nets are in Chicago one night, the Big 3 is on the floor. But just 24 hours later, back in Barclays Center, Irving will be nowhere to be found.

That type of quick turnaround is going to be tough for everybody. James Harden has previously said that it’s been hard for him to find a defined role with this team. Now, that will only get harder, depending on if Irving can play.

The role players will have different roles. One night, the Nets need big scoring nights from Harris, Mills, and Cam Thomas. The next? Those guys are probably going to be standing in the corner.

Steve Nash, already under so much stress, will have more to deal with. The game plan with change on a dime, just because one player is on the floor.

Now, with a player as good as Irving, you can tolerate this. It’s not like the Nets are bending over backward to accommodate Kessler Edwards Jr or David Duke.

Playoffs

Then there’s the playoffs, which I’m sure will go smoothly *wink*. Irving can’t play in home games for the Nets. So in the first round of the playoffs, where the Nets will inevitably have home-court advantage, what will happen? Here’s how a conversation might go.

Steve Nash: Hey Kyrie, let’s get ready for the playoffs! We’re all in on getting a championship right

Kyrie Irving: Yeah, totally. I’m ready for Game 1 (says while meditating)

Steve Nash: I love that attitude. There’s just one thing though (says while eating Poutine)

Kyrie Irving: What’s that?

Steve Nash: You can’t play at home, remember? You’re not allowed here because you’re too stupid to get a vaccine.

Kyrie Irving: That’s right. Maybe I should have gotten that thing all along and gotten this over with. Silly me!

Steve Nash: Yeah, so…we’ll see you for games 3 and 4 against Charlotte.

Kyrie Irving: What am I supposed to do until then?

Steve Nash: I don’t know. Go back to your chakras. Open your 3rd eye. Don’t distract us? Please?

Kyrie Irving: You bet.

Outlook

I don’t like to think of myself as a time traveler, but that is definitely what that conversation would look like. Anyway, this is going to be weird.

There’s no denying this trio is brilliant, fun, and one of the best things we’ve ever seen. We also can’t deny that shit might hit the fan on more than one occasion.

Currently, the entire Nets team is in Covid. Harden’s nightlife probably got him a few days ago, with Durant and Irving joining swiftly behind him earlier today.

Irving’s debut hasn’t been announced, but whenever he comes back, it’s going to be WEIRD.

The Western Conference Is A Mess

This season has featured a shift in conference supremacy. The Eastern Conference is better than ever, finally comparable with the long-standing premium that is the Western Conference. Sure, the West still features the best of the best. But after that?

It’s an absolute bloodbath with no end in sight. A barren wasteland of mediocrity and injuries, with some false hope sprinkled in. Today, I am going to talk about the mess that is the Western Conference.

#5 – LA Clippers (16-13)

The Clippers have had an up and down season. At one point, they won 7 straight games to rebound after a slow start. After that, they’ve been teetering on the edge of mediocrity. Paul George’s back is hurting, as LA’s offense is held up by him and him alone.

Relying too much on Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris will do that to you. The defense remains stout, featuring a brick wall in Zubac down low. Youngsters like Keon Johnson and Brandon Boston Jr. have promise.

Clippers fans are just counting down the days until Kawhi makes his return.

#6 – LA Lakers (16-14 – 0.5 GB of 5th)

For all the shit that I give the Lakers, they’re not that far away from breaking through in the West. Sure, a 16-14 record isn’t pretty. This team has more questions than a lawsuit. From the fit of Russell Westbrook to their inconsistent defense, nothing is set in stone with this team.

But hey, two games over 0.500 is better than nothing. I love Austin Reaves, Lebron James is still ridiculous, and things could be a lot worse.

#7 – Denver Nuggets (15-14 – 1 GB of 5th)

Let’s take a trip back to November 26th, 2021. The Denver Nuggets were under 0.500. They were on a 6-game losing streak. Two of their three best players were out for months. Nikola Jokic was straining to keep this team afloat. But, here we are. Denver is back, like none of this ever happened. How?

Their turnaround hasn’t been that hard to follow. Nikola Jokic is just too damn good. No other way around that, am I right Zach Lowe?

The defense hasn’t been nearly as good, but the offense, with the help of guys like Jeff Green and Monte Morris, has been better.

I appoint Zach Lowe as my Assistant PR Director of Jokic Media pic.twitter.com/HJ6HBDC4dc
— Brett Kane (@BrettKaneRadio) December 15, 2021

No, but seriously, Nikola Jokic is too good. It doesn’t make sense.

#8 – Dallas Mavericks (14-14 – 1.5 GB of 5th)

Similar to the Clippers, the Mavs have had a rocky season. Dallas started 9-4, however, that was due to them playing weaker opponents. Since then, things have been turbulent. Luka Doncic has struggled with his health/form. The help around him is laughable. Jason Kidd is still their coach.

The Mavericks have been struggling to stay afloat, yet to figure things out under new coach Jason Kidd. The good news for Dallas is that Luka doesn’t hate Jason Kidd, as he did Rick Carlisle.

(That article was so shocking. Carlisle tried to visit Luka in Slovenia in the Olympics and Luka straight up said no).

#9 – Minnesota Timberwolves (14-15 – 2.0 GB of 5th)

And finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves. After disappointing me to end to start the season, Minnesota has turned things around. They are giving the ball to KAT more, a recipe for success. The defense has held serve as one of the best units in basketball.

Minnesota has sneaky good depth, something that Chris Finch uses to his advantage. They are creeping up in the standings, fulfilling my play-in prediction for them before this season began.

Overview

There’s just a two-game difference between 9th place and 5th. Lebron James, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Paul George are all trapped in this bloodbath. The best part?

There’s no end in sight, baby!

Point Franz

Last night against Miami, Franz Wagner did something special. The Michigan gadget player has been one of the best rookies this season. His combination of shooting, defense, and passing make him a mouth-watering talent for Orlando down the line.

Last night, he showed us he still has tricks up his sleeves. Last night, we saw Point Franz.

Petition for every young player in the NBA to consistently get the ball with a low shot clock. Makes them do things they’re not comfortable with, like this.