Harden on Nets' championship hopes: At full strength, nobody can beat us

[Tr1boy]

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/08/19/james-harden-nets-championship-goals

Harden 1st needs to get into shape...before the big talk

[Donoghus]

He could very well be right.

Although, I have my doubts that they'll be able to stay healthy.

[Vermont Green]

To be at full strength, Harden will have to get in shape so I agree with both.  Even if 2 of 3 are 100%, they have a chance.

[hpantazo]

You could say the same for the 2010 Celtics. Problem is, we may never know. I just don't see this Nets group staying healthy all season long. Durant and Harden are also creeping up there in age and wear and tear, they just don't have many good seasons left in them. If they don't get it done in the next 2 years, they are finished.

[Goldstar88]

A team with 2 top 5 players and Kyrie at his best, might be a top 10. So yeah, no ones beating them if healthy.. Even with KD and one of the other star players heathy, they are probably the team to beat in the NBA. It’s ridiculous.

[Birdman]

Sounds like a sore loser..injuries happens every year in all sports..if Garnett didn’t get hurt in year 2 or Perkins in year 3, we won 3 straight..

[ETNCeltics]

I'll believe that malcontents Kyrie and Harden can coexist and succeed together when I see it.

Plus, they're 33, 32, and Kyrie turns 30 during the season and has always been fragile. There's a decent chance that one will be unavailable or not 100% come playoff time.

Having said that, Durant's so good they can overcome almost anything and still win.

[gouki88]

They've got two top-5 offensive forces in the NBA and Kyrie Irving. They also draw good role players like Mills. It's a huge if, but if they stay healthy they're nigh on unstoppable

[Ed Monix]

I believe they are the favourites, but you could say the same thing for the Lakers.

Although I’m sure both their rosters will continue to change, I am curious who has the advantages, Brooklyn’s shooting or Los Angeles’ power & size.

Nets

Claxton
Durant
Harris
Harden
Irving

Mills, Griffin, Brown Jr, Carter, Jordan, Johnson, Thomas, Bembry

————————————

Lakers

Gasol
Davis
James
Bazemore
Westbrook

Monk, Ellington, Howard, Anthony, Ariza, Nunn, Horton-Tucker

———————————

This is my estimated regular season starting line-ups, not accounting for matchup changes.

[Quetzalcoatl]

I really loathe these teams but I have to say if they're both healthy and make the Finals, it will be one for the ages.  Those are some stacked rosters

[Roy H.]

Looking at the Lakers team, I think they really should have signed Schroeder as a sixth man.  They couldn't give him one year, $10 million? 

Their team strikes me as being thin and unreliable outside of their top three.

[Ed Monix]

If the Nets & Lakers were matched up against each other, I can only guess that this would be the closing line ups:

Claxton  -  Davis
Durant   -  James
Harris    -  Bazemore
Harden  -  Ellington
Irving    -  Westbrook

[gouki88]

Looking at the Lakers team, I think they really should have signed Schroeder as a sixth man.  They couldn't give him one year, $10 million? 

Their team strikes me as being thin and unreliable outside of their top three.

I really do not like their team if one of their stars gets hurt. I don't like it in general, but say LeBron or AD go down with an injury (as has happened the last two season)... that is a bad bad time

[gouki88]

If the Nets & Lakers were matched up against each other, I can only guess that this would be the closing line ups:

Claxton  -  Davis
Durant   -  James
Harris    -  Bazemore
Harden  -  Ellington
Irving    -  Westbrook

The two match-ups that matter most are the 5 spot and the 2 spot, given they're the biggest talent disparities. I think KD would give LeBron a nightmare and he would defer to someone for defending KD.

[Ed Monix]

If the Nets & Lakers were matched up against each other, I can only guess that this would be the closing line ups:

Claxton  -  Davis
Durant   -  James
Harris    -  Bazemore
Harden  -  Ellington
Irving    -  Westbrook

The two match-ups that matter most are the 5 spot and the 2 spot, given they're the biggest talent disparities. I think KD would give LeBron a nightmare and he would defer to someone for defending KD.

Yes I completely agree with you.

I am very curious how Vogel & Nash deal with the awkward match ups.

If James doesn’t guard Durant, you’re left with Davis and if Davis shifts down to into the forwards, you’re going to have to play Howard? If that’s the case does Nash put Durant at centre? Bruce Brown is too short to disrupt James’ shot and perhaps if James Johnson was younger he would do a good job at harassing LeBron but I doubt he’s up to it in 2022