Formerly the New Jersey Nets, this year a lot a changed in the season hasn’t even started. Now the Brooklyn Nets they are sharing the Big Apple stage with Knicks. The Nets have new colors, logo, arena and players. The season hasn’t even started in the Nets are already making a splash in the NBA.
They started of free agency by resigning forward Gerald Wallace to a 4 year deal, then followed it up by trading for Hawks star guard Joe Johnson, which was a total surprise because who would have thought Atlanta would be able to move that contract? Next there was the big resigning of Deron Williams for 5 years at around 100 million. Brook Lopez also resigned for 4 years. These moves solidified the Nets in Brooklyn.
The Johnson trade added a lot of salary but it also added a lot of hope. With that move the Nets proved they were serious about winning and it allowed them to keep their Superstar Deron Williams, who was real close to signing with the Mavs, and stated the Johnson trade was one of the main reasons he returned. The Nets gave away a lot of expiring deals but managed to keep promising 2nd year player MarShon Brooks.
The Nets are so called the number one destination of Dwight Howard, which can change daily because we know how he is but if they are lucky enough to land him they would become an elite team immediately.(Don’t help them out Cavs, don’t do it) Lost in all the Howard talk is that Brook Lopez has a lot of upside and when healthy is a good big man. Lopez isn’t Howard by any means but he can shoot the face up shot and work in the post, we know he doesn’t control the glass or protect the basket the same. With the team they have assembled if Lopez can keep improving they may be an elite team anyways.
Joe Johnson being allowed to be the 2nd option maybe the best thing that has happened to him. With Deron being the centerpiece it won’t be on “Iso” Joe to be the leader of the team every night. Joe was the main piece in Atlanta during their playoff runs but they would lose in the 1st or 2nd round every year. Now teamed up with D Will, Crash and Lopez he will have a better chance at making a bigger run in the post season.
Now that the Nets are in Brooklyn they are looking to lay claim on the state. Melo and company may have something to say about that but one thing is for sure, the Nets are not going anywhere in the near future whether the Knicks or NBA likes it or not.
