3. Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
Many believed that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would team up at the end of this season, just with the New York Knicks rather than the Brooklyn Nets. However, Brooklyn rightfully landed the services of both players due to the presence of superior management and a promising, young roster.
In most other years, this pair would own the top spot in rankings like these. However, comparing Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James is nearly impossible, as each has a legitimate claim as the best player in the NBA. Therefore, when ranking these three duos, the second options will be most important to examine, and while Irving is fantastic, he is not on the same level as Paul George or Anthony Davis.
While Durant is recovering from a potentially career-altering Achilles tear, he should still be an elite player upon his return. Not only is he one of the most accurate shooters in the league, but his stature and wingspan allow him to release any shot against almost any defender. Simply put, Durant is the ultimate matchup nightmare.
While he has been heavily criticized for his decision to join a 73-win Golden State team, Durant was a dominant force during his three-year tenure, especially in the playoffs. He is perhaps the best pure scorer in the game today, though James Harden certainly has a case for the title, as previously mentioned. While he will likely miss all of next season, Durant’s return will make the Nets immediate title threats.
In the meantime, Kyrie Irving will be tasked with leading a talented supporting cast which includes Joe Harris, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jarrett Allen. Irving is a skilled scorer and the best ball-handler in the game today, but must be sure not to torpedo Brooklyn’s chemistry as he did this past year with the Boston Celtics. The drama accompanying Irving’s departure from Boston is certainly concerning, but his talent is a reason for optimism.
Irving’s offensive game is extremely well-refined. He averaged a fantastic 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game this past season while shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range. As the unquestioned primary option for at least his first year, Irving should acclimate well to Brooklyn.