Yes, the Nets boast the East’s best record since the new year began and yes, they’ve beaten Miami three times and yes, they have guys on the roster who have been through playoff wars, some — plus the coach — owning title rings.
But no, predict some NBA scouts, as good as they are and have been, they will not get out of the East in the playoffs.
Among a collection of scouts, there was an overriding consensus: The Nets are not a team anyone wants to face and if they survive the first round, they cannot beat Indiana or Miami. Three veteran scouts, one from each division in the Eastern Conference, presented arguments that were representative of those surveyed.
“They are legit contenders because of the recent struggles of Miami and Indiana and because they can beat the other five teams that will be in the [East],” a Southeast Division scout said. “But once they hit Miami or Indiana, I think they’re done. I don’t see them beating those teams.”
The Atlantic Division scout said Indiana’s size — a recurring argument — would be too much for the Nets, who seek to end a mini two-game losing streak Friday when they return home to face the Cavaliers. Should the Nets face the Heat in the second round, well, LeBron James, is the deciding factor, a scout said.
“Miami is a bad matchup for any team. They’ve got the monster,” the Atlantic scout said. “When you have the best player in basketball, you’re a matchup problem for anybody. Can the Nets beat Miami in a seven-game series? Doubtful.”
But the Nets did beat Miami three times already this season. That buoys hopes of the Brooklyn faithful and rightfully so.
“I don’t know if that translates to the playoffs,” the Central scout said. “Miami, they play small, too, so the fact the Nets are playing [Paul] Pierce at 4 really doesn’t come into play. But I will give you this about the Nets: They’re a cocky group. They think they can beat anybody.”
In a playoffs halfcourt, grind-it-out, mud wrestling match, Indiana would be a tall order — literally. The Pacers swept the Nets, 4-0, this season.
“You know how the playoffs go. They’re going to bog down and the Nets would have problems. Indiana is very deep and their size will give them problems. I don’t think they have anyone close to guarding Paul George,” the Southeast scout said. “The Nets really made hay with [Brook] Lopez being out and going small, but I just think they would wear down [against] Indy’s size.”
It’s also why, if possible, the Nets would love to pass in the first round on the team that bounced them early last postseason, Chicago.
“The Nets would be clear favorites against the Raptors or Wizards. The Bulls would be another problem because they play defense and they’re physical, they pound the boards and that gives the Nets problems,” said the Atlantic scout. “That doesn’t mean the Nets can’t beat them, especially with all their playoff experience, but they don’t want them in the first round.”
The Central scout agreed. He noted the Nets would be in such better shape if they can catch Toronto to assure home court. The Bulls have the head-to-head tie-breaker with the Nets and a favorable remaining schedule. So any home-court advantage would be important, especially given the Nets’ 14-20 road record.
“It has been for the two years they’ve been there [Brooklyn] and it has been a very positive atmosphere for them,” the Central scout said. “But it’s not intimidating. Teams don’t say, ‘Crap, we’re playing in Brooklyn’ like other places. But the Nets do play with more confidence at home.
“Two months in, you would have said there were two legitimate playoff teams in the East, now there are four, possibly five because people underestimated Toronto. So you have five very good teams, but Miami is one until they lose, Indiana is two and it’s everybody else having a chance to break through.”