It would be a complete embarrassment if the Brooklyn Nets didn't secure the championship this year. When Kevin Durant had to choose his destination, he snubbed the Knicks in favor of the Nets because they already had the foundation of a contender, boasting a young roster with two consecutive playoff runs. The team reached a new level of power by adding Kyrie Irving, a seven-time All-Star, and six-time All-Star Blake Griffin, while also building around James Harden. Their opponent's coach, Brad Stevens, noted that this squad is likely the most impressive team he has encountered since entering the league. This level of talent is reminiscent of the era where LeBron James and Durant's Warriors dominated every Finals matchup since 2013.
Brad Stevens, the coach of their first-round playoff opponent, says that they built “arguably the best team I’ve had since I’ve been in the NBA.” In the six Finals games the Boston Celtics have played since 2013, there have been six teams led by LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s Golden State Warriors, one of the greatest teams in league history.
The Nets simply have too much firepower on the floor, a fact that became glaringly obvious during their series against the Celtics. After coasting through the first game, Brooklyn dominated the second, with Joe Harris playing a key role in the blowout. It would be a massive upset if they failed to sweep the series.
We can expect a clash between the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid in the later stages of the Eastern Conference. However, neither of those teams possesses a supporting cast as lethal as Brooklyn's; neither has a second option like Harden or a third option as reliable as Irving.
The sheer quality of this roster is unmatched. Both Durant and Harden have earned MVP honors within the last five years. Furthermore, Durant and Irving are among only four players in the history of the league to maintain a 50/40/90 shooting percentage while averaging 25 points per game. Combined with their overall depth, they are the most complete team in the NBA.
Boasting what is arguably the greatest offense the league has ever seen, the Nets' big three have now played eight games together. Having had ample time to prepare for the postseason, they have looked completely dominant against the Celtics.
Failure to win the title this year would be a disgrace for Brooklyn, and BetMGM reflects this confidence with +200 odds. Much of this pressure stems from the players' own confidence; for instance, Kevin Durant has openly stated multiple times that he is coming for the throne currently held by LeBron James.