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.

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.