The Brooklyn Nets were able to take Game 1 in their second-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Three to go.#NETSLEVEL pic.twitter.com/tckZuiuV9R
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 6, 2021
They looked like an elite team despite the injury to one of their stars, James Harden.
The Nets have been one of the title favorites all season long.
Even before the acquisition of Harden, we looked at the Nets as one of the scariest teams in the NBA.
Once Harden came along to pair up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, they became the scariest team in the league.
Unfortunately, their big three played only eight regular season games together.
That is a very small sample size, but it does not look like it truly matters.
Game 1 against the Bucks was not their best, but they still were able to win.
The Nets are a force and should be title favorites.
Insurance Policy
Most teams in the league have one or two stars on their team.
Only a couple of teams have one MVP winner on their roster.
The Nets have three superstars.
Harden and Durant both have an MVP in their careers.
Irving hit one of the greatest shots in NBA history.
They are loaded with their three guys.
The Nets Big 3 are averaging 85.9 points in the playoffs.
KD 35/8/3 on 56/46/91%
Harden 26/7/11 on 55/46/91%
Kyrie 25/7/3 on 47/38/100% pic.twitter.com/aUgQ5gKD3a— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 31, 2021
However, Harden is now out with a hamstring injury once again.
James Harden has been ruled out for the rest of Game 1 with a right hamstring injury pic.twitter.com/V8zQcbMqir
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 6, 2021
He is already out for Game 2, and maybe even longer.
For most teams that would be a devastating loss and their season will most likely be over.
The Nets are not most teams.
Harden played one minute in Game 1 and the Nets did not lose a step.
They still looked the title favorites.
With no Harden, they still have multiple former All-Stars.
If the Bucks lose Giannis Antetokounmpo, or if the Philadelphia 76ers lose Joel Embiid, their season is done completely.
The Nets might not have Harden, but they are still on their way to winning a championship.
Offensive Dominance
The Nets scored 115 points in Game 1 and that still felt like it was too low for them.
Their offense is too dominant for teams to stop.
Durant and Kyrie only shot 4-15 from three.
However, Joe Harris and Blake Griffin went 9-18 from three.
This roster can score at will.
Durant is a professional scorer and can get his points at all levels.
29 points for Durant is so easy for him.
Nobody can really guard him in the league.
Irving is a wizard with the ball in his hands.
His handle and layup package is at an all-time tier.
Even players off the bench, such as Mike James, can come into the game and give you 10-plus points with ease.
Their offense is overpowering to the teams around the league.
This team shot 46.9 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three.
Both of those numbers are below their team averages for the season.
The Nets have another level, or two, to go to throughout the playoffs.
That notion is just scary to think about.
The Bucks, the Eastern Conference, and the rest of the league need to be worried about this team and what they are capable of this summer.
NEXT: The Most Valuable Member Of The Brooklyn Nets Big 3
