NBA: Mid-season playoff seeding predictions for the East and West

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Brooklyn Nets Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports) /

3. Brooklyn Nets

Ready or not, the Brooklyn Nets are coming. And they’re coming quickly. After a not-so-special start to the season, the Nets have found themselves en route to keeping themselves away from the negative headlines (you can make the argument that perhaps that’s their biggest development).

Over the last few weeks, you can make the argument that the Nets have been the best team in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant is playing at an MVP level, Kyrie Irving is once again proving why he may be worth the trouble, and the team’s supporting cast has been a pleasant surprise (and is still improving).

The biggest development that should be worth monitoring for this team is their defensive prowess. All of a sudden, KD and Kyrie have a defense. If their top 10 defense is sustainable, their chances of winning a championship this season are only going to rise heading into the postseason.