‘s play is a big part of what makes the Nets and Knicks a 2013 rivalry. (Flickr.com photo by Keith Allison)
Make no mistake about it: the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are an NBA rivalry.
From the perspective of a Nets fan, even when they were playing in New Jersey, the Nets and Knicks were a rivalry. Nets fans didn’t care for the Knicks and vice versa, and since moving to Brooklyn, the Nets’ rivalry with the now crosstown Knicks has taken off.
It’s common for teams playing in the same city to be considered rivals. The Giants and Jets are, and the same can be said for the Yankees and Mets, and it’s no different for the Knicks after they watched the Nets impede on their territory.
The rivalry could have sparked right away during the 2012-13 season. The two New York-based squads were slated to open the regular season against each other on Nov. 1, but the devastation from hurricane Sandy prevented that from happening.
Instead, the two teams met for the first time 25 days later, with the Nets pulling out a 96-89 overtime win at home, holding the Knicks to a mere five points in OT.
New York would get the best of Brooklyn in the next two meetings last season—the Nets only lost by three points to the Knicks on Dec. 11—but wound up with a season series split when Brooklyn won by three over New York on Jan. 21. Although the Knicks did grab a 14-point win over the Nets last season, every game played between the two was close, and the tension could be felt in every matchup.
There will only be more tension this season, especially with newly-acquired Paul Pierce only adding fuel to the fire (h/t ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk):
Pierce: 'I think the hate (for the Knicks) has grown a little... it's time for the Nets to start running this city' http://t.co/OLwWC53Lgw
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) August 8, 2013
Raymond Felton and other members of the Knicks have since responded to Pierce’s comments, essentially declaring war to decide who runs New York.
Lastly, Jason Kidd, who retired after one season with the Knicks, donned a Nets uniform for seven seasons and will now be leading them into battle in four meetings against the Knicks this season as the head coach for Brooklyn. While this doesn’t necessarily add fuel to the fire, Kidd could bring some “inside the huddle” insights to the Nets this season prior to their matchups with New York.
Get ready for one exciting season in N.Y., folks.
You can also find my work over at Yahoo! Sports. Find me on Google+.