NBA Roundtable: Sixers, Nets are a mess; breakout players; Finals predictions
In our NBA season-opening roundtable, we explore the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and much more.
Well, the 2021-22 NBA season is finally here. In preparation for the new season, a few SCIC writers got together to dig deeper into some of the bigger questions heading into the regular season.
1. Which East contender is most likely to combust this season – Brooklyn Nets or Philadelphia 76ers?
Michael Saenz, Site Expert: I believe ultimately Kyrie Irving will get vaccinated and rejoin the Brooklyn Nets. I don’t know how the Philadelphia 76ers’ dilemma gets solved without a trade. I don’t see how the Sixers don’t combust as they try to cover up the problem by forcing Ben Simmons back. Also, I don’t exactly buy the Kyrie retirement stuff.
Liam Clark, Contributor: Out of the two options I think the 76ers are likely to combust, as the Nets still have two future hall of famers on their team. Along with a lot of depth in their team, the pairing of James Harden and Kevin Durant is enough to make sure the Nets do not combust this season.
Philadelphia is likely to be in turmoil and have locker room issues with Simmons back in at the club, which will affect their season immensely.
David Bernal, Contributor: With or without Kyrie Irving, the Nets are top-tier NBA contenders. While locker room discord may be red meat for First Take to feast on, the reality is that Brooklyn is too talented for anything but significant injuries to James Harden and Kevin Durant to ruin their season.
The same, however, cannot be said about the Sixers.
While it appears likely that Ben Simmons will at least begin the season in Philadelphia, Doc Rivers and company will still need to figure out how to turn their enigmatic former top-overall pick into a legitimate second option on offense capable of relieving pressure on Joel Embiid. After four years of watching them try and fail to do just that, however, there’s no reason to think this is the season Simmons translates his open-court success to slower sets.
There’s little doubt here, Philly is a tinder-box ready to go up at any moment.