Debby Wong-USA Today Sports
So what’s worrying the Brooklyn Nets more about their Game 7 first round winner-take-all date against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night?
The thought of getting prematurely bounced in the first round by a Derrick Rose-less Bulls squad when so many had them in the Eastern Conference finals after retaining All-Star point guard Deron Williams, and adding All-Star shooting guard Joe Johnson this past summer? Or becoming only the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, immediately thrusting them into a semifinal matchup with the star-laden, defending world champion Miami Heat?
Although it definitely has to be the latter, the Nets know in their heart of hearts that they have virtually zero chance against Miami if they defeat Chicago in the final dance.
Numbers told the story on their own in all of the matchups between the Nets and Heat this season, but throw them out the window for a second and simply look at who the Heat run out there every night.
They go by the names of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It isn’t even necessary to include Chris Bosh into the equation.
James and Wade would inevitably have their way no matter who Brooklyn would try sticking on them, whether it be Gerald Wallace, Keith Bogans, Chris Watson, Johnson or Williams.
But, believe it or not, the impact those two would have on that end of the floor might not even be the biggest headache they give Brooklyn. As two of the elite defenders in the league, they would be able to considerably keep Johnson and Williams at bay almost every game.
You don’t even need to think about anything else. Without their two biggest perimeter scoring threats giving above average contributions, the Nets would be eaten alive by the Heat.
That is, if they give themselves a chance to be.
Mike B. Ruiz is a Brooklyn Nets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebruiz and “Like” him on Facebook.
