2021 Brooklyn Nets Season Preview & Gambling Guide

Brooklyn Nets – 2021 Preview

2020 Brooklyn Nets Review

The Brooklyn Nets 2020 season got very interesting after the acquisition of James Harden. The Nets created arguably the best scoring trio in NBA history. However, as the season progressed there were two main questions for the Nets. First, would a rookie head coach with no coaching experience be able to create a system for the trio that would work? Second, would the big three have enough playing time together to build the chemistry required to be successful? Unfortunately, the Nets dealt with injuries to all three of their superstars at various points of the season, which also carried into the playoffs. James Harden dealt with a hamstring injury in the postseason and Kyrie Irving was knocked out also due to a severe ankle sprain. Nonetheless, the Nets were two inches away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Let’s get into the 2021 Brooklyn Nets preview.

What’s New for 21/22

One of the biggest factors right now for the Brooklyn Nets is the vaccination status of Kyrie Irving. New York is requiring vaccination for fans and the public to attend indoor events, which includes the players. Currently, Irving has made a personal choice not to get vaccinated which will not allow him to practice or play in home games. As of today, Nets GM Sean Marks came out and said that Irving will not be allowed to participate with the team in all practices or games, regardless of where they take place.

Next, on the court and on the roster the Nets signed or acquired the following players: Patty Mills, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Jevon Carter, Paul Millsap, and James Johnson. I believe the Patty Mills signing is the most underrated signing in all of basketball. Mills provides guard depth on the bench as well as a high IQ player with postseason and championship pedigree. Also, it is great to see LaMarcus Aldridge back on the court after he was forced to leave last season to tend to a medical issue. If the Nets are going to be without Kyrie Irving, I believe there is enough guard depth at the position to compensate for the loss. Will the decision by Sean Marks cause Irving to retire? It is now a wait-and-see game.

Season Odds

NBA Title +200

Eastern Conference: +100

Atlantic Division: -280

To Make Playoffs: -20000

O/U: 56.5

Best Bet: Under 56.5 Regular Season Wins (-115)

The status of Kyrie Irving puts things up in the air for the Nets. However, when you have the best player in the world, Kevin Durant, on your roster, as well as James Harden, who is a top-five player in this league, this Nets team is still very dangerous and best in the East. There is no doubt that the roster the Nets have created makes them the favorites to win the NBA Title. The one concern I have for the Nets is injuries. The Nets have players on this roster who year over year miss a significant amount of time. The talent is there for the Nets. Health is going to be the biggest question for this team. The odds are too short for me to take them to win the title or even the conference. Additionally, it won’t matter which seed the Nets end up in in the Eastern Conference. Until I see defensive improvement from this team and when and if we see Irving on the floor, I have to pump the brakes a bit on this team.

Brooklyn Nets Player Prop Bets

James Harden To Average Over 10.7 Assists/Game (-115)

When James Harden was acquired by the Nets, there were two point guards on the team. Eventually, it was decided that Harden would be the featured point guard and Kyrie Irving would play off the ball. Over the last three seasons of Harden’s career, he has averaged right around 10.7 assists per game. In addition, Harden is favored to lead the league in assists this season. Harden would have to average close to 11 assists per game to accomplish this feat and there is plenty of shooting and talent around this team for Harden to rack up the assists.

Brooklyn Nets Fantasy Preview

Even though there is a big three on this roster, James Harden is still a player who can get a triple-double on any given night. Sure we will not see the 30-40+ point games he would have every night with the Houston Rockets. but he can fill up the stat sheet. Harden is a player who can rebound the ball, get the assists, and get the steals in a game too. When healthy Harden is a player who fills it up on the stat sheet!

There is a real log jam at the power forward position for the Brooklyn Nets. They have Paul Millsap, Blake Griffin, and LaMarcus Aldridge at the position. The minutes will vary from night to night and Steve Nash will have to find enough minutes to go around.