Shaquille O’Neal won 3 MVP, played 17 Playoffs and won 4 NBA Championships. We can go all day if we start to discuss their achievements. The point is, he has a phenomenal basketball IQ and is therefore a successful sports analyst in the second half of his life. But his latest NBA Bubble prediction makes it difficult to understand how he claimed it in the first place.
He firmly believes that the Brooklyn Nets have a real shot at making the playoffs. On paper, they certainly do, and the calculations back up the claim head-on. Let’s face it though, they lack depth in their current Bubble lineup compared to others in the Eastern Conference. Standing at 30-34, the road for them is full of great obstacles.
Can the Brooklyn Nets stay in the Top 8?
The Nets are in seventh place right now. But each team must play 8 games from here and the image we see today can change completely. There is an update on the playoff rule given this year’s extraordinary conditions. This time, if fewer than four separate team wins rank eighth for the team ranked ninth, they will find themselves in a play-in tournament. If the team in eighth place wins just one, they will enter the playoffs, while the team in ninth place will need two wins.
Now, the Nets will see a real threat against the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards. Later, they could face a tougher ordeal in Bucks or Raptors. But that was still manageable if they had their full strength traveling to Orlando.
Shaquille O’Neal and his confidence in the networks
In the NBA on TNT, Shaq was quoted as saying: “Because there is no advantage on the local court and they will play in the ballroom, Brooklyn will advance to the second round. You heard it here first. Shaq added forcefully, “Without a clear advantage on the local court, emotions will be low and everyone knows they don’t have certain types. That’s the most difficult team to play, a team you’re prepared for. ”
“You heard it here first … Brooklyn will advance to the second round.” 👀 @ SHAQ believes that the Nets can surprise people in Orlando. pic.twitter.com/ONjRvYxKtb
– NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) July 15, 2020
A Nets team without Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan seems weak to the others, but certainly not to Shaq. Jordan tested positive for COVID, Irving had a shoulder injury, and Durant has his problems with Achilles. Even Claxton is out. So all they have are Chris Chiozza, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, and Rodions Kurucs, among others. We wish them and Shaq good luck!
Who do you think will have the last laugh? Share your opinion with us.
