The Brooklyn Nets were already looked at as a title contender when the franchise landed Kevin Durant and Kyriue Irving, but then they became deadly when they traded for James Harden.
That was soon followed by the additions of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge. The only team in the Eastern Conference that likely has a chance of stopping them appears to be the 76ers.
Philadelphia legend Julius Erving talked with 76ers guard Danny Green on his podcast and not only picked Philadelphia to take down Brooklyn, but said the Nets were just using their check book in their hunt to win it all.
“It’s reminiscent of how the Yankees used to do it all the time,” said Erving, per Dan Roche of NBC Sports Philly. “They load up – they call it ‘buying a championship.’ The Lakers are known for doing that too. They’re getting all these pieces. … They don’t know at the end of the season what it’s going to look like or what it’s going to feel like. But they’re going to be formidable. You’ve got a team with six former All-Stars, and three [All-NBA] guys who have been there and succeeded in the playoffs.”
If the two teams do meet in the playoffs, Erving is going with the Sixers.
“First off, [the Sixers] have an advantage coaching-wise based on experience with [coach Doc Rivers], in terms of championship experience that [Green has], that Dwight [Howard] has,” Erving added. “And the ambition of Ben [Simmons] and Joel [Embiid], these guys are hungry now, they’ve been a part of what they call ‘The Process’ for several years, and it’s time for The Process to bear some fruit. I’m betting my money on Philly.”
The 76ers currently have the edge with a 37-17 record, with the Nets not far behind with a 36-17 record.
