NBA Power Rankings: Lakers are champions; Nets look to crash the East

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
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NBA Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Brooklyn Nets

This might be a bit controversial, but I’m a big believer in the concept that talent wins-out in the NBA. We’ve seen it time and time again where the ultra-talented teams win championships even though they may not fit best together as a group. That could very well be the case for the Nets this season.

With a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets will be one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference this season. Of course, a lot of that depends on how healthy both players will be out of the gate.

Though, even if we see a 90 percent Durant, that still might be good enough for the Nets to cause some serious damage in the East. When healthy, Durant had played his way to being arguably the best player in the league. Kyrie is a great offensive talent in his own right. The Nets will be dangerous this season, and they check in at No. 2 to start the year.