Skip Bayless highlights Brooklyn Nets’ dire situation
Skip Bayless had an interesting take on the Brooklyn Nets' latest performance. Although the team came away with a much-needed win, Bayless highlighted how dire their situation was as their two superstars practically carried them again.
The Brooklyn Nets finally managed to end their four-game losing slide with a win against the Indiana Pacers at home. After losing to the Pacers at home, the Nets managed to rack up a redemption win to improve to 2-5 on the season.
Unfortunately, the Nets' situation is anything but reassuring. After racking up a massive lead early in the first half, they almost saw the game slip away from them. With a ferocious offensive charge led by the young Pacers team, Brooklyn barely managed to fend Indiana off in the second half.
A major aspect of the Nets' success at the Barclays Center was the combined offensive brilliance of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. With the Brooklyn superstar duo combining for 64 points, the Nets secured the win.
However, the performance itself was indicative of a rather glaring problem within the roster. Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless pointed this out when commenting upon the win. He tweeted:
"Nets avoid even deeper disaster at home by holding off late run by Indiana. Now they're just a two-man offensive team - KD with 36, Kyrie 28. Defense, rebounding optional. Either those two outscore you ... or else."
Nets avoid even deeper disaster at home by holding off late run by Indiana. Now they're just a two-man offensive team - KD with 36, Kyrie 28. Defense, rebounding optional. Either those two outscore you ... or else.
Bayless' criticism of the team's performance as a whole is quite valid. Outside of Irving and Durant, the Brooklyn Nets saw Nic Claxton as the only other player to record double-digit scoring.
With reference to the rebounding effort, the Brooklyn Nets just about managed to win the bout with a 39-38 rebounding score. However, this certainly isn't becoming of a team that is expected to compete for a title.
With Ben Simmons sitting out the game with injury, the Nets perimeter defense looked out of sorts. Fortunately for the team, Indiana had an abysmal shooting night for three.
While several factors benefitted the Nets in this game, Brooklyn will take the win as it comes. Currently ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets will have a lot of ground to cover.
The Brooklyn Nets appear to be unravelling
The media had high expectations of the Brooklyn Nets this season. After a tumultuous offseason featuring trade rumors involving Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets managed to hold things down quite well. This led to the hype building up for a potential revenge season.
Unfortunately, the Nets have started off on a less than promising note.
With a 2-5 record, Brooklyn are one of the worst teams in the NBA. While this could be attributed to a myriad of reasons, the team is plagued by internal strife at this point in time.
The Nets have struggled to gel as a unit. With a stagnant offensive system that is reminiscent of last season, Brooklyn continue to be dependent upon Durant and Irving to rack up points for them.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons has been less than satisfactory as he struggles to return to form on both ends of the floor.
Overall, it could be said that the Nets are going through some growing pains. But considering that the team is currently in a state of flux with Irving amid controversy, Brooklyn may be on the verge of collapse at this rate.
People were courtside at the Nets game wearing "Fight Antisemitism" shirts, this in the wake of Kyrie Irving's recent promotion of an antisemitic film on social media https://t.co/GRCtDDHXCu