3. The Brooklyn Nets have the same problems as the Los Angeles Lakers, but worse
The biggest hang-up on the Los Angeles Lakers this season is the team’s injuries. Yes, Anthony Davis has already returned and LeBron James appears to be right around the corner but that is far from guaranteeing an NBA Finals berth.
AD is coming off of calf/Achilles problems, which can be worrisome and is going to take time to fully ramp up to speed. LeBron is coming back from a simple high ankle sprain but he is 36 years old.
It might take some time for both guys to not only get up to speed but for the rest of the team to form around the superstars returning. Time is not something the Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of.
Luckily, the Brooklyn Nets are dealing with the same issue but worse. The trio of Durant, Harden and Irving have not played together that much and they are running out of time as well. James Harden had a setback with his hamstring and is still out of commission while Durant has missed various time throughout the year with various injuries.
Not only have they not been able to play together, but they have a higher risk of burning out in the NBA Finals. Harden’s hamstring might need more time to be 100% and Durant has not played a meaningful playoff series in two years and hasn’t been able to get into a consistent groove this season.
If both the Lakers and Nets make it to the NBA Finals then they obviously figured it out, but once there, the Nets have a higher chance of sputtering out than the Los Angeles Lakers.