There are two ways to answer this question. If you are a Brooklyn Nets fan, then it’s likely your answer will be, “well on paper yeah.” For everyone else, the answer should be no, not as long as LeBron James is roaming around the court wearing that headband and throttling opponents. Still, the Nets may be the best team in the Eastern Conference; well at least on paper it would seem so. On NBA draft night this past off-season, Nets GM Billy King pulled off the coup of the summer by acquiring two future hall of famers in Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics. The trade helped the Nets upgrade significantly in two positions, small forward and power forward. In Garnett and Pierce, the Nets not only received proven championship pedigree, they also obtained the leadership, steel, and scoring ability they sorely lacked in the NBA play-offs against a Chicago Bulls team that was missing several of their stars.
Nice piece! You make a good point that “on paper” Brooklyn appears poised for a championship push. I do agree with Jomo Brown, however - the Nets are a lesser basketball club than Miami, Indiana, and Chicago.
Even without factoring in the additions of Oden and Beasley (I believe that Beasley can help Miami more than people think; on the other hand, who can say if Oden will contribute anything?), the Heat STILL improved over the summer just in the sense that the best player on the planet, LeBron, is a year older and still expanding his game.
You are correct in the fact that Brooklyn added a ton of championship experience (esp. with Pierce and KG) but it might take this group a full season to gel before they are ready to seriously contend for a title. Unfortunately, with such an old roster, this squad really can’t afford to take a full season to come together as a functioning unit, but often this is simply the reality in the NBA game (i.e. 2010-2011 Heat). Also factor in a rookie coach - I do think Kidd will be a good coach in this league but expecting him to become an elite, championship coach in his first season is simply unrealistic. On the other hand, Frank Vogel and Tom Thibodeau are high-level head coaches in this league. Plus, Indiana and Chicago simply have more playoff experience as “units” than Brooklyn.
Top tier Eastern Conference teams (title contenders):
Miami
Chicago
Indiana
2nd-tier:
Brooklyn
New York
It’s going to be an ultra-competitive NBA season - the West may be even more exciting with OKC, LAC, San Antonio, and Houston all worthy of being called title contenders.
As a Lakers fan I have to admit that I always genuinely enjoyed watching the Celtics with the exception of the 2008 season when they mopped the parquet with the Lake Show. I was disappointed to see KG, Pierce, and Rondo split up but am excited to see what this brings for the Nets. What do you think will happen to Rondo? Do you think he’ll play in 2013? How long will he stay with the Celtics?
It is not just heat that are top in the east the pacers are better then Nets the bulls should be better with rose.
The Heat still got Bron man. I think the Bulls are up there too but imagine if Oden can play even 30 games for them.