“I think it’s time for the Nets to start running this city,” Paul Pierce said.
Could the Brooklyn Nets be New York’s new marquee team? Paul Pierce believes so and though the transition from a Celtic to a Net might have not been that easy; I’m glad Pierce is now a firm believer in the Net’s future. When it comes down to it, the Nets are looking at 2-3 powerful years of basketball.
Both the Knicks and the Nets are in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NBA. The Nets were only 5 games behind the Knicks last season, but this year, I’m predicating the Nets pass the Knicks in the standing and land a higher playoff seed.
Here are a few reasons why the Brooklyn Nets will have a more successful season and playoff run than the New York Knicks.
Experience
When looking at each team’s roster, the Nets have a list of players with NBA Finals experience. Their recent signing brings over players with tons of playoff experience; the type of experience that pushes you deep in the playoffs. With Pierce and Garnett looking to add to their ring collection, their experience and determination will help to create a successful winning formula in Brooklyn. The Net’s also have experienced bench players, Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Terry and Andrei Kirilenko.
The Knicks have a young roster, with championship potential. The problem is, the Knicks have surrounded their star player, Carmelo Anthony, with players who do not have championship experience. For instance, the only players on the Knicks’s roster to play in the NBA Finals are Tyson Chandler and Metta World Peace. Something that worries me is their star veteran, Amar’e Stoudemire. For the past few years, I have seen his production fall dramatically. I do not think he will ever be able to capture an NBA Championship.
Championship Mentality, A Winning Formula
While both of these franchise coaches played in the NBA, Mike Woodson has not proven himself to be a ‘good coach’ in the NBA. Woodson has a winning percent of .465% during the regular season. His playoff winning percentage is even worse, .391%. This year will prove if Kidd is able to make the transition from player to coach.
Since Kidd has not coached his official first regular season game, we do not know exactly what to expect from him. We can predict what can happen though. We know Kidd played a strong role on the floor. Jason Kidd was the ‘on-court coach’ vocalizing on defense and conducting the offense. Now that he is watching from the bench, I am expecting his perspective to become more unique. He will help Deron Williams take over the offensive reigns and can give defensive control to Garnett and Lopez.
Having just left the NBA, Kidd is ‘up to speed’ with the on court tempo and with being more familiar to how NBA stars act on the court, it will help greatly with his coaching game plan and strategies.
Woodson has far more coaching experience but I think it is something the Nets can get by with Kidd in control.
Offensive Options
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
Though Carmelo Antony was the league’s leading scorer last year, averaging 28.7 PPG, the Knicks do not have as many scoring options as the Nets do to score. The majority of the Net’s starters average more points per game than the Knicks.
PPG PPG
Tyson Chandler 8.7 Brook Lopez 17.9
Carmelo Anthony 25.0 Kevin Garnett 19.1
Andrea Bargani 15.2 Paul Pierce 21.8
Iman Shumpert 8.3 Joe Johnson 17.6
Raymond Felton 13.5 Deron Williams 17.8
Along with having more offensively sound players, the Net’s have more options for last minute shots takers. They have the option to give their last shot to almost anyone in their starting five. Literally, all five of their starters has hit at least one game winner in the NBA career. While the Knicks, are almost predictable for who will take the last shot; Carmelo Antony. The diversity of options the Nets have to use offensively will help this team succeed in the long run. Meanwhile, the Knicks just call on Melo and come playoff time he is worn out or defensives can easily predict the Knicks’s offensive game plan.
When comparing bench scorers, the Nets have the advantage again. The Knicks do have recent Sixth Man of the Year, J.R. Smith. But to be honest, Smith is overrated. He loves pulling the trigger when he is out of bullets and his shot is unpredictable. Carmelo better take his breathers when the Knicks are leading; other than Smith, there aren’t many scorers on the Knicks.
The Nets have plenty of scorers to bring it. Sitting on the Nets bench is Andrei Kirilenko, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse. All players that have displayed great offensive skill throughout their career, a key to winning championships is to be able to have scorers you can substitute in your rotations. The Brooklyn Nets have ‘offensive sparks’ they can rotate around during game..
Better Defensive and Rebounding Team
When comparing the Nets and Knicks’s forward and center positions, Brooklyn takes the cake. Reggie Evans was the leading rebounder for the Nets’s last year averaging 11.1RPG. Evans will now be providing a punch off the bench, to help control the board during rotations. I am expecting Brook Lopez and Kevin Garnett both to average near double-doubles throughout the season. Along with Garnett mentoring Lopez, I am expecting Lopez to increase his defense productivity.
The Knicks only averaged .4 less rebounds per game than the Nets last season. They did not help themselves by signing big man Andrea Bargnani. His career average for rebounds is 4.8rebounds per game. Tyson Chandler’s career average on the boards is 9.1RPG. When matching up Tyson Chandler vs. Brook Lopez, the Nets have the advantage.
Courtesy: Sporting News
Before their most recent offseason signings, the Nets were just behind the New York Knicks in defense rating. With their addition of a stronger inside, that strengthens their starting core and bench squad; the Nets will be a solid defensive team. I see the Knicks facing a few defensive problems this year.
Jason Kidd was a defensive player, he is currently number two all team in steals. I’m sure he will channel the importance of defense into his coaching and with Garnett on the floor; the Nets will be defensively sound.
A problem for the Knicks is Amar’e Stoudemire. His defensive production has gone down dramatically. He has been on a decline, ever since the 2006-2007 NBA season. Injuries have caused problems for his career; Stoudemire has only played two full 82 game seasons. If the Knicks cannot get a healthy defensive effort from Stoudemire, their problems will continue to grow
Overall, the Brooklyn Nets are better than the New York Knicks. It will be an interesting and important season for both these teams but I am expecting the Nets to have a more successful season; as well as, making a bigger playoff splash.
All statistic credited to basketball-reference.com
