After weeks of speculation, debate, and questionable antics that have caused even DeMarcus Cousins to raise an eyebrow like Anthony Davis, the latest superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden has finally played its first game for the Brooklyn Nets yesterday. A 12-point loss to the Cavs spoiled the debut of the NBA’s latest big three, but that’s how big threes usually start (just ask the ’11 Heat, the ’15 Cavs, or the ’17 Warriors). The task du jour is a look at the bigger picture!
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden will have to figure out what kind of big three they will be. With one-fifth of the 2020/21 season already in the books, they will have to do it on the fly, and they will have to do it quickly!
NBA history* can provide a list of checkmarks to keep an eye on along the way:
Garnett/Pierce/Allen, Boston Celtics (1x NBA Champions)
While there have been exceptions (Toronto in 2019), assembling as many superstars as possible has been the most sure-fire way to the NBA Finals for the last decade-plus. However, even by the trio, the assembly of superstars does not guarantee a title window that’s going to last indefinitely. Well aware of this fact, the Boston Celtics used every opportunity (like a pre-season trip to Italy) to bond and build chemistry as early as possible, ultimately winning the title in their first year together and only coming close one more time in 2010.
The trade for James Harden has made Brooklyn an instant championship contender. However, not unlike their fellow contenders, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nets’ window for actually winning an NBA championship, for the time being, is precisely two seasons long. After the 2021/22 season, all of their three stars have a player-option for the following year, narrowing Brooklyn’s time of team control down to a mere seventeen months (assuming the NBA reverts to its regular schedule next season). Time is of the essence!
James/Wade/Bosh, Miami Heat (2x NBA Champions)
The co-existence of the three superstars has been the most heavily debated topic leading up to and since the completion of the trade last week. And for a good reason. When LeBron infamously took his talents to South Beach, he was essentially joining Dwyane Wade’s team. Wade had previously won a championship with Miami and remains the icon that’s the most associated with the Heat franchise. However, leadership roles on the court and Finals MVP trophies were a different story.
There is no way that Brooklyn’s three All-Stars will be able to check their ego at the door entirely. But adjusting to a different role and understanding when to zig when teammates are zagging on the offensive end is crucial to Playoff success for the Brooklyn Nets. Championships are not measured in FGA per night but by winning the last game of the season. There is no better example of this than Chris Bosh between 2011 and 2014. Or the San Antonio Spurs for two entire decades, for that matter.
Curry/Thompson/Durant, Golden State Warriors (2x NBA Champions)
This Warriors version is the closest comparison to Brooklyn’s big three in terms of sheer offensive firepower (therefore edging out the three-time champions Curry/Thompson/Green here). And it is also the provider of invaluable knowledge and experience for Kevin Durant on how to achieve and especially maintain excellence.
Unlike his Coach, his Offensive Coordinator, and his newest running-mate, Durant has the hands-on experience of not only winning but also overcoming the challenges to a team’s focus, ambition, and momentum that will ultimately get a franchise over the hump during an extended championship. Alongside Kyrie, Jackie MacMullan has identified as the premier off-court shot-caller in Brooklyn, and who has one of the biggest shots in Finals history to his name, it will be on KD to help his teammates and coaches benefit from his experience in Golden State come Playoff time.
Jordan/Pippen/Rodman, Chicago Bulls (3x NBA Champions)
The question of whom to include next to no-brainers Jordan and Pippen in one of the most iconic big threes in NBA history is mood. Whether it’s Toni Kukoc (who boasts more win shares than Rodman) or The Worm (who owns the more distinguished NBA career), the Bulls’ dynasty’s critical component remains the same: Winning.
It’s the knock-out argument in any Jordan-LeBron debate. It’s the ultimate currency in NBA circles. It separates the good teams from the great ones. It ain’t worth a thing without the ring.
Unlike in the summer of 2019, when the Nets signed Durant and Irving in free agency, Brooklyn has thoroughly mortgaged its future to bring James Harden on board and complete its big three. The only way that this type of investment is going to be worth it for the title-starved franchise is if Durant, Harden, and Irving manage to bring a Larry O’Brien to Brooklyn sooner rather than later. And the only way they will accomplish that goal is by determining what kind of big three they are going to be.
*Disclaimer: We’re eliminating the two obvious juggernauts from the 80s, the Lakers’ trio of Kareem, Magic, and James Worthy (3 championships as a big three), as well as Bird, Parish, and McHale up in Boston (3x champs as well) from the comparison not only because of differences in style of play but more importantly because these teams had time to grow, build chemistry and figure out rotations for several seasons. This also disqualifies the 9-time(!) champs from the 60s, Russel, Havlicek, and Cousy, even though if anybody would have been able to go “Not six, not seven …” on their opponents, it would have been those Celtics.
