Rivalry Born in Brooklyn

November 26, 2012 was the beginning of something special in New York sports.

The Nets and Knicks faced each other Monday night for the first time in Brooklyn.  It felt like the story was scripted.  It was a memorable night in the illustrious history of New York Sports.  The Brooklyn Nets defeated the New York Knicks in overtime, 96-89.

You couldn't ask for a much better game in an unbelievable atmosphere at the new Barclays Center. The sellout crowd of 17,732 Knicks and Nets fans made a November regular season game feel like a May playoff matchup.  It was only fitting that both teams would exchange leads back and forth in a close game throughout.  The Nets would pull out the win in the start of what could be an incredible rivalry for New York.

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez led the Nets to the big victory.  Williams recorded a double double scoring 16 points to go along with 14 assists.  Lopez also posted a double double leading the Nets with 22 points and 11 rebounds.  Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 35 points and 13 rebounds.  Anthony struggled down the stretch as Gerald Wallace played with aggressively on defense.  38-year-old Jerry Stackhouse shocked the Knicks off the Knicks and everyone else in the building with his four three pointers and 14 points, including a big three pointer in overtime that gave the Nets the lead for good.

The energy in the building felt as if the two teams were facing off at Madison Square Garden.  The chants of "Brook-lyn" could be heard from the first quarter until the final buzzer.  The borough that has been starved of professional sports since their Dodgers left 55 years ago finally has a team to call their own again.

The win for the Nets also ties them with their Manhattan "rival" for first place in the Atlantic Division at 9-4.  It's the latest in the season the Nets have been in first place since 2007 and the latest both teams have been tied for first since 1997.  Brooklyn has brought a new start for a team that was essentially irrelevant in New Jersey without a true identity.  Monday night saw Nets fans outnumber and out chant Knicks fans.  That was something that was never seen in New Jersey.  The Nets definitely made a statement for Brooklyn and for all of New York Monday.  It's just game one though and both teams hold the same record.

Manhattan's team and Brooklyn's team will face off again at the Barclays Center in just two weeks on December 11th.  Then the teams will face off for the first time this season at MSG just a week later on December 19th.  By Christmas time, New York bragging rights will be in the hands of one of these teams.  Monday was the start for the Nets making a name for themselves as legit competition for the Knicks.

The Nets weren't the only winners Monday...all of New York basketball fans were.  Get ready for basketball's version of the Subway Series in New York City.

2012-2013 Nets Season Preview

The Nets are ready for a brand new beginning in Brooklyn.  They have a new name, new jerseys, a new state of the art arena, a new city, and a new team.

The Brooklyn Nets open their 2012-2013 season tonight at their new home in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center.  They bring in a completely revamped roster and one that is suited to be a playoff contender.  Here's a preview of the Nets upcoming season.

Point Guards 

Nets GM Billy King brought back the most pivotal piece to the Nets success this season, Deron Williams.  The All Star point guard signed a 5-year deal to lead the Nets backcourt in their new home.  Williams is one of the best point guards in the NBA and one of the more versatile players in the league. Williams will gel well with the new team in the new city this season.
The Nets also signed C.J. Watson to back up Williams this year.  Watson is a formidable backup and did a good job filling in for Derrick Rose or the Bulls last season.
Brooklyn also drafted Tyshawn Taylor out of Kansas in the second round of the draft.  Taylor gives the Nets a third option at point guard if Williams or Watson goes down with injury.

Shooting Guards 

Brooklyn's big splash this offseason came when they acquired All Star shooting guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks.  Johnson joins Williams in arguably the best backcourt in the NBA.  He gives the Nets a threat from three point range that they desperately needed.  Johnson won't have to run the show in Brooklyn like he had to do in Atlanta.  Expect a big season from Johnson with the Nets this year.
MarShon Brooks returns for his second season after an impressive rookie season.  Brooks can average double figures off the bench and knocks down shots.  The Nets have two guys in Johnson and Brooks that can make shots at will.

Small Forwards 

Gerald Wallace returns this season at small forward for the Nets after they acquired him at the trade deadline last season.  While his scoring might go down this season with the additions the Nets have made this offseason, Wallace is one of the Nets best defensive players and rebounders.  Look for the 30-year-old to be successful in this starting lineup.
Brooklyn also added small forward Josh Childress to come off the bench.  Childress played overseas last season.

Power Forwards 

The Nets bring back Kris Humphries after he averaged a double-double last season.  Humphries has been one of the best rebounders in the league and is a guy who can block shots.  The Nets will need his presence in the post this season.
Another guy who can pull down some rebounds is Reggie Evans.  The Nets added Evans this offseason as a tough defensive presence in the paint off the bench.  He's an offensive liability, but he will rarely touch the ball on the offensive end.
Mirza Teletovic is one of the Nets many people don't know much about entering his first season in the NBA after playing overseas.  The 6'9" forward can shoot the ball from downtown making him a big piece to shit team.


Centers

Brook Lopez is back this season as the Nets starting center.  Lopez signed a max contract this offseason after the Nets failed to make a trade for Dwight Howard.  Lopez is one of the most underrated players in the league.  He's a guy who scored 20 points a game two seasons ago and is a top five center in the NBA.  Lopez needs to improve his rebounding, but the Nets will definitely look for Lopez to score down low.
Another addition the Nets made that has been overlooked is the addition of Andray Blatche.  The 7-footer scored 17 PPG just two seasons ago and will be a key guy coming off the bench.

Prediction 

This Nets team has finally become relevant leaving New Jersey and coming to the greatest city in the world.  Billy King has completely changed the face of this team making them a playoff contender this season and down the road.  The Nets have the talent and they have the depth to be a top five team in the East this year.  They have a great leader in Coach Avery Johnson.  The key will be if they can all gel together and how long it will take.  Expect a big season in the first year in Brooklyn from the Nets.

The Nets will finish the season 48-34 and the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.

Nets Will Be Fine Without Howard

The Dwight Howard to the Nets saga has finally come to and end. The Magic and Nets ended trade talks earlier today as they could not get a deal done after several attempts.  There were rumors of a 4 team trade, a 3 team trade, and a trade between the Nets and Magic.

The Nets have moved on and resigned their center Brook Lopez to a 4 year $61 million deal.  Pieces now are being placed together for the Brooklyn Nets as General Manager Billy King has done a tremendous job this offseason to turn an irrelevant Nets team the last couple of years into a team that can instantly contend. They started off the offseason by resigning their small forward Gerald Wallace to a 4 year $40 million deal.  Shortly after, the Nets made a blockbuster trade to acquire All Star shooting guard Joe Johnson from the Hawks.  After the signing of Wallace and the trade for Johnson, point guard Deron Williams knew that it would be the right choice to stay with a Nets team who was putting together a team that can win now. Deron Williams chose the Nets over the Mavericks as he signed a 5 year $100 million deal to join Wallace and Johnson.  The Nets also added Bosnian 6'9 forward Mirza Teletovic who was a star overseas and can be a huge contributer for the Nets at power forward.  They also acquired forward/center Reggie Evans in a sign and trade with the Clippers and signed Jerry Stackhouse to a 1 year deal. Brooklyn is also working on a sign and trade to bring in Antwan Jamison at power forward.  Not trading for Dwight Howard also meant the Nets got to keep their young guard MarShon Brooks who had a very impressive rookie season last year.

The Nets have definitely made a splash this offseason. They have one of the best starting backcourts in Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. Johnson provides them with a guy who can make shots as he is one of the best shooters in the NBA. Gerald Wallace has been a consistent rebounder and defender at small forward who will contribute double figures in points as well. Brook Lopez is coming off a season where he only played in 5 games after breaking his foot. Lopez had not missed any games in his first three seasons prior to breaking his foot. He averaged 20 points a game in the 2010-2011 season. He is arguably a top 5 center in the NBA and a very solid offensive center. Mirza Teletovic will be a huge addition being a big man who can shoot from downtown.  He was a star overseas and will be another shooter to come in and make big shots for the Nets.  Rookie Tyshawn Taylor out of Kansas will also be a big contributor coming off the bench backing up Deron Williams.  This Nets team is very deep and its only July 11th, the first day free agents can be signed.  Even after losing Howard, this looks to be a playoff team who can surprise a lot of people this year.  Brooklyn will see a very exciting and winning team to open the Barclays Center in 2012-2013.