Brooklyn Nets: The Battle For New York, Season 2
In their first season after moving from New Jersey, the Brooklyn Nets established themselves as a potential threat to the New York Knicks in hopes of claiming the title as the best team in New York.
The billion-dollar Barclays Center is home to the Nets and it is clear the franchise is heavily under the influence of Jay-Z, with luxury suites, bars, lounges, a live DJ and three clubs in the arena. Perhaps it’s the Brooklyn lifestyle, the new billion-dollar arena or the black-and-white throwback type of jersey, but the Nets have become one of the most appealing franchises in the NBA after just one season in Brooklyn.
In the second season, the Nets plan to overtake New York and contend for a championship.
The face of the franchise, point guard Deron Williams. (Photo by Shinya Suzuki/Flickr.com)
Newly acquired veteran forward Paul Pierce, who already has a strong dislike for the Knicks going back to his days in Boston, came out earlier this month stating that it is time for the Nets to start running the city. Knicks starting point guard Raymond Felton rebuffed Pierce’s words a few weeks later, saying the Nets will never take over the city because the Knicks have New York on their jersey, according to a report from Ian Begley of ESPN New York.
The back-and-forth conversation continues to build up the rivalry even more.
Last season, the Nets split the regular-season series 2-2 with the Knicks and landed the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. It was Deron Williams’ first year playing in the backcourt with Joe Johnson, who came over from the Atlanta Hawks via trade last offseason. The two were expected to have huge seasons but neither did, particularly Williams, who may have dropped out of the elite point guard rankings. Brook Lopez was able to stay healthy for the whole season, and he will also be one of the key players for the Nets franchise going forward.
Both teams made a string of moves this offseason. The Nets added Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko and Shaun Livingston. The Knicks combatted that by trading for Andrea Bargnani, signing Metta World Peace and drafting Tim Hardaway Jr.
The Nets are banking on the championship pedigree of Garnett, Pierce and Terry to help lead the team deep into the playoffs. Johnson is expected to have a bounce-back season as well, but as the face of the franchise, Deron Williams, has to be the one player who is consistent throughout the season. He has to prove that he is worth the $98 million extension he signed in the summer of 2012. Another thing that Williams has going for him though is the fact that his coach will be someone he has a great relationship with.
Jason Kidd retired after last season and quickly became the Nets head coach with no coaching experience. With a close relationship with Williams, Kidd can build an offense around the point guard’s game. He has already stated his plans to push Williams and get him back to averaging double-digit assists.
The two teams will meet at the Barclays Center on Dec. 5 and April 15, and also at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 20 and April 2. It is no surprise that all four games will be broadcast on national television.
The NBA is a booming brand once again, led by global superstar LeBron James, who is parallel to the Michael Jordan of this generation. Over the years, fans have been blessed with rivalries such as Lakers-Celtics, Bulls-Pistons, and Knicks-Pacers.
This Nets-Knicks rivalry, labeled the “Battle for New York,” is next in line and promises to be a great rivalry in the NBA for years to come.[slider_pro id=”3″]