No team entering the NBA restart has an easy road ahead. Even though metrics may indicate some teams have an easier schedule than others, there are other variables in play that teams don’t typically have to worry about.
Then there’s the Brooklyn Nets’ situation, which may be messier than anyone else’s.
The Nets are without seven players, most of which are crucial to the team’s success. On top of that, Brooklyn just lost Michael Beasley, who recently signed as a substitute player.
Even though 2019-20 wasn’t expected to be Brooklyn’s year with Kevin Durant (right Achilles) out, it looks like things could be even tougher for them than initially expected come playoff time.
Yet, Shaquille O’Neal thinks the Nets could do something in the postseason. On Wednesday, the legendary center made a prediction regarding Brooklyn’s postseason chances:
Because there’s no home-court advantage and they’re playing in the bubble, Brooklyn will advance to the second round. You heard it hear first.
Others on the broadcast scoffed at the idea, and former New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter asked who Brooklyn would beat, to which Shaq responded:
Whoever they playing, ’cause they playing in the damn ballroom. … They’re making it to the second round. ‘Cause you know what? I’m gonna tell you why. With no clear-cut home-court advantage, emotions are gonna be low, and everybody knows that they don’t have certain guys. D-Wade (Dwyane Wade), Candace [Parker], Vince, as you know, that’s the toughest team to play, a team that you’re not up for. … Everybody’s going to underestimate this ballroom team, and they’re going to advance to the second round.
“You heard it here first… Brooklyn will advance to the second round.” 👀@SHAQ thinks the Nets can surprise people in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/ONjRvYxKtb
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 15, 2020