A depleted Brooklyn Nets team made the playoffs in the Disney World "bubble" and competed--but couldn't overcome the superior Toronto Raptors, who swept them in four games. Now, as ESPN's Jackie MacMullen wrote 8/23/20 NBA playoffs: A new challenge awaits Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.
In other words, next season is the one that counts, when Irving returns, Durant finally plays, and significant role players are back. Some of them, like Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert, might even be franchise cornerstones elsewhere, or be traded for someone with a flashier resume.
MacMullen writes:
Make no mistake, KD and Kyrie are on the clock. The success or failure of this franchise, which is firmly on a championship-or-bust path, will fall squarely on their shoulders.
Beyond the question of roster assemblage, another question looms: will interim coach Jacque Vaughn return, or will the Nets recruit a big name?
Questions of player health and team chemistry linger.
A bigger question: will they be playing before crowds or just the cameras? If the latter, that big investment for superstars won't immediately pay off in increased fan revenue, though it might boost sponsorships.
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