Unable to comment specifically on the Nets’ new Big 3 as their exchange for James Harden is unofficial, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said three superstar scorers on the field will always have to “ sacrifice. ”
But an Eastern Conference NBA scout told The Post that’s easier said than done with the freshly bearded beastly trio of the Nets of Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving formed on Wednesday and turning the NBA on its ear.
The Scout is most concerned with the chemistry between Harden and Irving.
“It will be a work in progress,” said the NBA scout. “You literally and statistically have two of the five most ball dominating guys in the competition. I’ve watched Houston with John Wall and Harden, and maybe that’s because of the problems, but that didn’t look like a comfortable environment for Harden with Wall dominating the ball. Then you have Durant which I wouldn’t say is bald dominant, but which definitely needs a lot of touch. ”
At least Harden and Durant played together in Oklahoma City. But that was before Harden became the league’s top scorer, averaging at least 29 points in five consecutive seasons in Houston.
“The dynamics between Harden and Irving is key,” added the scout. “Durant can adapt. At Golden State, [Klay] Thompson wasn’t one to need the ball. Fewer touches were needed for that big 3. They got worse defensively. Harden does not guard. And they lose [Jarrett] Allen. ”
Another NBA talent evaluator wondered if the Brooklyn Dream Team will run as smoothly as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh’s Miami Dream Team.
“In Miami you had a hierarchy – LeBron, Wade, then Bosh,” he said. “Who’s taking the chance with the game at stake?”
Thibodeau was an assistant coach on the Celtics’ 2008 title team with his own Big 3.
“There is in the sense that the challenge is the same,” said Thibodeau. “I know in Boston when we had Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, that was the big question. I think great players are always figuring out how to play together. They also make other players a lot better. So I guess it’s not as hard as people would like to be. I think the biggest challenge is everyone’s willingness to sacrifice. When that happens, the result is usually very good. ”
The Nets cashed in on their futures, giving up several first rounders and pick swaps, but the goal in each of the next three seasons is to win the first NBA title in franchise history. Maybe two titles – even without Allen and Caris LeVert.
“They’ve given up a lot of players, but they have so much depth in the roster,” said the first NBA scout. [Jeff] Green, [Landry] Shamet, [Joe] Harris, TLC [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot], [DeAndre] Jordan, it’s still a decent supporting cast. ”
Of course, no one can be sure Irving will be back anytime soon, which could make the question of matching the three superstars together as a moot.
“You can’t count on Kyrie right now,” said an NBA personnel director. But Harden and KD will be fine. But it takes a minute for everything to start working. ”
Or explode. As former Wizards and Hawks scout Bryan Oringher told The Post, “It’s going to explode or they’ll win multiple titles.”
“Harden is a pretty good insurance policy for Irving,” added the Eastern Conference scout.
A player agent can see the Nets turn into the basketball version of the Yankees’ “Bronx Zoo” – except in a different neighborhood.
“There is just as much potential for this to go wrong as it to go well,” said the officer. “You have Kyrie, who could be a loose cannon. You have Harden, who has just called his team and teammates. And you have KD who at first glance seems very passive but he likes to let a lot of things fester and talk about it like in Golden State. “
Adding “The Beard” to KD and Kyrie is still a lot sexier than a Knicks team that has suddenly become the low-profile team in town without one star – let alone three.
“For us, we have to focus on us and the players we have,” Thibodeau said before facing the undermanned Nets on Wednesday. “Just focus on our improvement and just do the things that need to be done to get better. We’re not worried about them. They worry about themselves and we have to worry. Our division is loaded. We know that. We know the make-up of each roster and we know we have a lot of work to do and we look forward to that challenge. “