20. Brooklyn Nets
Heading into the start of the season, I’m admittedly torn on what to expect from the Brooklyn Nets. On one hand, I believe there’s a chance that they could struggle to start the season. Brooklyn backed into the postseason last year and struggled in the playoffs. Even though, individually, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson posted good numbers, there’s no real evidence to suggest that they can be consistent enough to lead the Nets to a top 6 seed in the playoffs.
Until I see that consistently, I’m going to have my reservations about the Nets. On the other hand, if Bridges and Johnson can play at a high level and Ben Simmons can rebound into even 80 percent of the player that he was during his peak with the Philadelphia 76ers, there’s reason to believe that the Nets could be a surprise team in the Eastern Conference.
But again, the Nets will have to prove their ability to be a player in the East. After the way they closed the season last year, the Nets will have their work cut out for them at least to begin the season.