Unable to comment specifically on the Nets’ new Big 3 because the trade with James Harden is unofficial, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said three superstar scorers on the field will always have to “sacrifice themselves.”
But an NBA researcher at the Eastern Conference told The Post that it’s easier said than done with the fresh bearded trio of Nets, Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving forming on Wednesday, turning the NBA to his ear.
The researcher is most concerned with the chemistry between Harden and Irving.
“It will be a work in progress,” said the NBA researcher. “You have literally and statistically two of the five guys with the biggest ball in the league. I watched Houston with John Wall and Harden and maybe it’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, who I wouldn’t say is dominant in the ball, but he certainly 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 dynamic between Harden and Irving is key,” the scout added. “Durant can adapt. The Golden State, [Klay] Thompson wasn’t a guy who needed a ball. Fewer touches were needed for that big 3. Defensively they got worse. Harden is not guarding. And I lose [Jarrett] Allen. “
Another NBA talent appraiser wondered if the Brooklyn Dream Team would 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 makes the hit with the game on the line? ”
Thibodeau has been an assistant coach in the 2008 Celtics title team, presenting his own Big 3.
“There is a sense that the challenge is the same,” Thibodeau said. “I know in Boston when I had Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, that was the big question. I think great players always figure out how to play each other. They also improve the other players. So I don’t think it’s as hard as the world would have it. I think the biggest challenge is everyone’s willingness to sacrifice. If this happens, usually the result is very good. ”
The Nets cashed in on their future, giving up more players in the first round and choosing 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 gave up a lot of players, but they have so much depth in the list,” said the first NBA researcher. “They received three superstars and they still have many role players. They’re worse downtown, losing Allen. But [Jeff] Green, [Landry] Shamet, [Joe] Harris, TLC [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot], [DeAndre] Jordan, it’s still a reasonable cast of support. “
Of course, no one can be sure if Irving will return soon, which could make the issue of the three superstars discussed.
“You can’t count on Kyrie right now,” said an NBA personnel director. “But Harden and KD will be fine. But it will take a minute for everything to start working. ”
Or it explodes. As Bryan Oringher, a former wizard and hawk researcher, told The Post: “Either it lights up terribly or it wins more titles.”
“Harden is a pretty good insurance policy for Irving,” the Eastern Conference researcher added.
A player agent can see the Nets turn into the basketball version of the Yankees’ “Bronx Zoo” – except for another neighborhood.
“There is as much potential for this to break as there is for going right,” the agent said. “You have Kyrie, who can be a free cannon. You have Harden, who just called his team and colleagues. And you have KD that seems very passive on the surface, but he likes to let a lot of things go out and talk about it after being like in Golden State. ”
Adding “The Beard” to KD and Kyrie is still a lot sexier than a Knicks team that suddenly became the low-profile team in town without a star – not to mention three.
“For us, we need to focus on ourselves and the players we have,” Thibodeau said before facing the Nets on Wednesday. “Focus only on our improvement and doing the things we need to improve. We are not concerned about them. They worry about themselves and we have to worry about ourselves. Our division is loaded. We know that. We know the structure of each list and we know we have a lot of work to do and we look forward to this challenge. ”