The NBA offseason has been overflowing with excitement surrounding the Brooklyn Nets and their long-awaited move to the sports-starved borough. For the moment, the Nets are the talk of the city, but does that mean they could unseat the Knicks as New York ‘s team?
Many of the Nets players would rather not discuss what looks to be a budding rivalry between the two ball clubs, with Brooklyn point guard Deron Williams stating that it was “getting blown up by the media.”
But if their overtime preseason battle inside the Nassau Coliseum — the site of their final meeting in 1977 (when both franchises last played in the great state of New York ) — is any indication, this ongoing crosstown contest is going to be as good as expected, if not better. Their play was feisty and competitive with the Nets’ Williams and the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony taking command with their lethal and dominant, yet contrasting, styles of play.
Anthony was a vocal force during the game, like an older brother admonishing his younger brother for even trying to keep up with him on the court. On more than one occasion he could be heard yelling at Nets players, taunting them as they went up for rebounds and after missed shots.
For now, the Knicks are the unquestioned team of New York. They have been adored for decades and that adoration did not waver even during the Isiah Thomas years, when winning was scarce and drama unending.
The Nets have emerged from their introduction as Brooklyn’s team with a long-term plan set in place to unseat “big brother” as the king of the city, though. Their roster is stacked with talent ready to win now, featuring superstars Williams and shooting guard Joe Johnson. They also have guaranteed the future with underrated studs like center Brook Lopez and forwards Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries on the roster. Their new look is sleek and simple, catering to this generation’s population and backed by one of the most beloved figures in New York City today, legendary rapper Jay-Z.
For everything the Knicks are to their long-time New York basketball fans, the Nets are cool, mature and enticing enough to sway even the most diehard Knicks supporter. It will take time but winning would speed up the process.
Fortunately, the Nets have a product built to win and there is little question they should clinch a playoff berth this season. Ironically, the last time that happened (2006-2007) current Knicks’ point guard Jason Kidd — with the New Jersey Nets from 2001-2008 — lead that charge.
A steep battle looms for the Nets to dethrone the Knicks as “New York’s team.” But a victory to highlight the Barclays Center’s inaugural regular season game on November 1st against their “rival” would be the first step in the right direction.
Louis Musto is a contributor for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network covering the NFL and NBA. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.