With Kyrie Irving now back in the fold for the Brooklyn Nets, fans are dreaming of that ever elusive championship. Irving returned to practice for the first time this season on Wednesday, and he addressed the media for the first time since training camp.

The (23-9) Nets sit in first place of the Eastern Conference, with the meat and potatoes of their roster suddenly looking more healthy and available than they have at any point this year.

By now you know the back story. Irving made the decision to remain unvaccinated despite local NYC mandates forbidding pro athletes from performing in venues like Barclays Center. The Nets then made the tough decision to not allow him to appear in practices and road games. At the time, they didn’t want a part-time player to disrupt their continuity.

Irving apparently was resolved in his choice, while understanding the implications. Per Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, Kyrie told reporters Wednesday “I understood their decision (to sideline me) and I respected it.”

It does not sound like Irving’s return is imminent. The team understandably wants to be conservative with their superstar’s return to NBA action.

Nash said despite Irving being eligible for less than 50 percent of remaining games there is no rush to bring him back. He will ramp-up and he will play when he’s ready.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) December 29, 2021

But we at ClutchPoints don’t have to be as conservative. Here are three bold predictions for Kyrie Irving’s eventual return

3. Irving first appears in a big road win over the Chicago Bulls, dropping 24 or more points in his debut

Assuming Irving is beginning to practice now, it makes some sense that they might consider his return for the January 5th road game against the Indiana Pacers. But if they think they can win that one against a newly rebuilding Pacers group without Kyrie, they can buy their star guard another full week to acclimate to NBA life.

And when he first suits up, it’s difficult to imagine the Duke product looking too rusty.

DeAndre’ Bembry on what Kyrie Irving looked like in practice today: “I’ve never seen Kyrie not be Kyrie.” #Nets

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 29, 2021

The Bulls have had the Nets number so far this year, winning the first two match ups–one in Brooklyn and one in Chicago. Irving should change the equation in that one if he’s available by January 12th. We like him for 24 points, five dimes, four rebounds and a couple viral highlights without much rust.

2. Kyrie will be the second best Nets player (minimum) when active

Irving said he was playing pickup games around North Jersey among other things to stay in shape but admitted today was the first time he’s gone against pros. Said returning to practice was like riding a bike.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) December 29, 2021

Kevin Durant is an easy bet to continue to look like an MVP candidate all season long. Nobody in these parts will be surprised if Durantula hoists his second regular season MVP award next summer. KD will probably continue to be the Nets’ best player for the rest of the year.

James Harden has had a more rocky season. The 2018 MVP exploded in his return from COVID-19 protocols, demolishing both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers over the recent Holiday road trip. Harden looked very much like his old self. But we’ve seen him rev his engines several times this season before reverting back to sluggish.

This prediction bakes in several possible scenarios. Harden could continue to struggle at times, and Irving would simply have to be his old self.

The other possibility is that head coach Steve Nash uses a more aggressive load management program moving forward. Harden will have plenty of heavy lifting to do (taking on twice as many games as Kyrie) at Barclays Center when Kyrie is not available, so Nash can afford to give Harden the occasional night off here and there on road trips, or  play him less minutes overall. When James is active and logging minutes, he can afford to pick his spots or even coast once in awhile if need be.

Irving, on the other hand, can give us a glimpse at what a star might look like in an idealized, shortened, well-spaced out schedule. Fans know that on a night in, night out basis, veterans don’t kick it into high-gear because it simply isn’t optimal when you want to be fresh for a playoff run in May. Irving doesn’t have to worry about that so much.

1. The Nets will win the 2022 championship

You either have to face Kevin Durant and James Harden on the road in their gym, or you have to face the Nets Big 3. Neither option is appealing during a seven-game series. The Golden State Warriors have been the most electric team in the sport and should return Klay Thompson soon. The defending Western champs, the Phoenix Suns,won 18 in a row earlier this season. Both of those teams throttled Brooklyn when they met.

But Irving changes the calculus. Nets in six, the big three celebrates some place where Irving is eligible to play and party.