CHICAGO — It started with the makings of a thriller and ended in an absolute blowout. The top teams in the Eastern Conference at maximum star power facing off on national television. One team reeling having dropped five of its last seven. The other thriving, coming off a 46-point blowout win the night prior. By the time it was over, the Nets looked like overwhelming favorites to win a title (if fully vaccinated) while the Bulls’ season might have a lower ceiling than they let on.
Brooklyn’s big three reconvened for just the 16th time two days before the one-year anniversary of the James Harden trade. The findings were overwhelming. Chicago learned what the few teams able to face them fully healthy already knew: No defense can stop them.
The Nets showed everyone what they’re supposed to look like in a 138-112 flattening of the Bulls. Despite getting just nine points from Kyrie Irving, the Nets got whatever shot they wanted, however they preferred and whenever they pleased. The win was the team’s first of the season against a top-four seed from either conference. Brooklyn is now 13-3 when the big three play together.
“We’re that good,” Harden said. “Like, we have a chance to be that good. We just haven’t had, like, enough of it. You know what I mean? Like, I think last year we probably had 15 games, maybe, together. A little more, a little less. And this year only two. We haven’t had a real, like, bulk or like a season just to whereas y’all can consistently see how great we can be. And we’re working on that. We need to get to that point.
