Kevin Durant doesn’t want to call this a Finals matchup. It’s just a regular season game, he said. While this is true, I’m just going to go ahead and call this a Finals matchup.
This could be more than just a regular season game, and all early signs seem to indicate as much.
The Golden State Warriors have the best record in the league with 11 wins and only two losses. They have an MVP frontrunner in Steph Curry, who’s definitely on a mission to take back the throne.
The Brooklyn Nets are second in the Eastern Conference, just behind the Washington Wizards with a 10-4 win-loss record. They, too, have an MVP frontrunner in Kevin Durant, who’s absolutely determined to take back the throne.
Just a couple of years ago, Curry and Durant were winning championships together. Now here we are, the two of them leading their new-look teams to where the elites should be.
The Warriors are still without Klay Thompson, who’s expected to suit up by early next year. In his place, the Warriors have replacement deadly assassins in the form of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins.
The Nets, likewise, are still without Kyrie Irving. His absence somehow birthed a new brand of Nets basketball, one that involves doing the dirty work so that KD and James Harden can cook.
The Nets’ reliable and blue collar support system—led by Blake Griffin, Patty Mills, and LaMarcus Aldridge—has provided the steadiness and composure required to win the big games.
The Nets will have to double up on their steel-toe boots and hard hats against the current league-best Warriors.
They might also have to bring heavy duty umbrellas, in case Curry brings a rain of 3s.
With all that talent and storyline, this could very well be a Finals preview. Or one of the regular season games that just shouldn’t be missed.
The Warriors versus the Nets tip off at 8:30 AM live on NBA TV Philippines via the new Smart GigaPlay app or Cignal TV.
