The Brooklyn Nets once again flexed their muscle against the Milwaukee Bucks winning the opening fixture of the Playoffs series. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led the way for Steve Nash’s men as they won 115-1007.
However, it was not all rosy for the Nets at the start of the all important fixture. They saw James Harden leave the floor in the first minute after pulling his hamstring. It was a huge blow for KD and Kyrie and also for others. But they stuck to the plan and delivered exceptional performances to steer the Nets home.
Harden went up in an attempt for a layup and immediately pointed towards his right hamstring. The Nets pulled him out of the game and then he took no further part in the match.
The Beard has struggled with persistent injury problems in the regular season. He has only featured in 36 matches for his new side. He has constant trouble with injury and missed 19 games before the playoffs.
Addressing the issue in a recent interview Charles Barkley spoke on this matter and drew similarities with the Lakers and their injury mismanagement this season. The NBA legend explained, “It’s the exact same situation as with the Lakers, with LeBron James and AD. You can not just show up for the playoffs. You have to play basketball to get in shape. [You] can go a stretch if you had leg injuries but the playoffs are gruelling because you are playing every other day. And intensity, there’s nothing you can do sitting on the sidelines.”
What Barkley has put up as an argument is justified but one may also bring in his sensation Round 1 statistics against the Boston Celtics to prove that he did come back to the playoffs with a bang. Harden averaged 27.8 points, 7.2 rebs, 10.6 assists, 2 steals, and a block in Round 1.
Although Beard went missing due to injury, the other players delivered on the night to steer the Nets home. Mike James came up with a big performance from the bench whereas Joel Harris managed the perimeter with aplomb.
Blake Griffin also had a huge role in this win as he did not allow the Bucks defenders to settle. The Bucks need to work hard on their offence if they want to compete with the high flying Nets.
