Just one year ago, I thought the New York Knicks versus the Brooklyn Nets would be the best rivalry in basketball.
The Knicks were coming off an impressive 54-win season and a playoff series win for the first time in 13 years. The Nets had freshly moved to Brooklyn and claimed the 4-seed a season earlier, and added All-Stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the fold. Battle of the boroughs, baby. Things were looking up for both teams for the first time in a while…
Just one year ago.
Now, a rivalry is non-existent and irrelevant, as both ball clubs scramble to stay competitive.
New York is trying to pick up the pieces after a disastrous year, hiring new President of Basketball Ops, Phil Jackson (you may have heard of him). In his first offseason on the job, Jackson hired new head coach, Derek Fisher, and, in effect, traded Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to Dallas for Samuel Dalembert, Jose Calderon, Cleanthony Early, and Shane Larkin.
Brooklyn is coming off a solid season, advancing past the first-round of the playoffs for the first time since 2007. However, the Nets sacrificed their money, youth, and future for owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s championship promise. And, despite the star power and hype, it didn’t come to fruition, leaving Brooklyn in an awkward state of purgatory.
With Paul Pierce, Shaun Livingston, and Andray Blatche leaving in free agency, Kevin Garnett declining, Deron Williams under-performing, and Brook Lopez‘s health in question, it seems the Brooklyn Nets are in for a decline next year (I would comment on the Jason Kidd situation, too, but aren’t we all tired of that?).
Thus, the table is set for our head-to-head team comparison.
NY Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets: 2014-15
Head Coach — Derek Fisher vs. Lionel Hollins
Winner: Lionel Hollins
I like Derek Fisher a lot. He talks a great game, and his players seemed to rally around him and pick up the triangle offense quickly in the Summer League. But I’m always hesitant to praise someone who’s unproven. So for now, Lionel Hollins has the edge. From 2011-13, Hollins‘ Memphis Grizzlies made the playoffs three straight years. In two of those years they advanced past the first-round, including an upset of a 60-win Spurs team in 2011 and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. Hollins is a proven postseason coach and can effectively utilize Lopez and Plumlee in Brooklyn like he did with Randolph and Gasol in Memphis.
Point Guard — Jose Calderon vs. Deron Williams
Winner: Deron Williams
D-Will has the slight advantage here. Slight. He’s a better scorer, can penetrate the lane at a higher rate, and can nab a few steals per game, but Calderon is a better shooter and has better court vision. Williams wins this match-up only when %100 healthy.
Shooting Guard — Tim Hardaway Jr. vs. Jarrett Jack
Winner: Tie
Let me clear this up first; I fully expect JR Smith to be traded. There’s about the same buzz and speculation around him as there was around Tyson Chandler being moved, and they have basically the same trade value, as well. It seems inevitable that Phil Jackson will ship JR to a squad in need of bench pop in exchange for either a draft pick or a young front-court asset before next season begins.
Back to the player comparison. Tim Hardaway Jr. has his game face on and is ready to average 13-15ppg next year, while Jarret Jack will probably continue his career average of 10ppg. Hardaway also shoots a better percentage. But Jack is a veteran with some playoff experience from his time with the Warriors and is known for being clutch, something THJ hasn’t earned yet.
Young Guns — Iman Shumpert vs. Mason Plumlee
Winner: Mason Plumlee
Shumpert was flat-out embarrassing last year in what was supposed to be his breakout season. Meanwhile, Plumlee made the All-Rookie First Team.
Center — Amare Stoudemire vs. Brook Lopez
Winner: Brook Lopez
Sheesh, my knees and ankles hurt just looking at this match-up. STAT’s usual line nowadays looks a little something like 25 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds. Nothing to gawk at. But Lopez is one of the best offensive centers in the NBA…when healthy. Similar to our PG comparison, Lopez barely wins this one.
Second Unit — Larkin, Prigioni, Early, Bargnani, Dalembert vs. Teague, Anderson, Teletovic, Kirilenko, Garnett
Winner: Tie
Neither bench makes your jaw drop, but they both include a few savvy vets and some nice young pieces, as well.
Winner: Carmelo Anthony
Johnson made more big shots than Anthony last season. However, Melo is one of the best scorers and 3pt shooters in the game, and he’s a surprisingly good rebounder, too. Obviously, him re-signing with the Knicks is huge.
Our final result…(drum roll please…or you can just do the math)
The Brooklyn Nets appear to be the slightly better team going into next season.
Although, neither club should get too excited. My guess is both teams will be pretty even and battling for the final playoff spot in the East. In that case…hey, maybe this still can be a rivalry! A mediocre one, but a rivalry nonetheless!
(Spongebob voice) HOORAY!