The Brooklyn Nets have plenty of question marks to address moving toward the 2015-16 season, yet the Barclays Center looks like ivory towers in comparison to the dysfunction going on across town at Madison Square Garden.
After the grand old experiment of bringing in veterans Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and Kevin Garnett failed in 2013, the Nets have been struggling to become a notable team in the Eastern Conference, as the veterans could not provide the experience and level of play capable of advancing far into the playoffs.
Part of that had to do with injuries. Garnett battled back issues, while Pierce recorded what was a career-low 13.5 points per game in his lone season with Brooklyn back in 2013. Jason Terry was relegated to the bench, and he played behind Deron Williams.
Williams, who was the face of the franchise after its final seasons in New Jersey and first few in Brooklyn, saw his numbers and time on the court decreasing as he became something of a clubhouse cancer, especially in his final year with the team, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy:
Now that Williams was bought out and departed to the Dallas Mavericks, the Nets have a crack at a fresh start in 2015-16. But that fresh start in a weak Eastern Conference doesn't seem to be helping their early odds for winning a championship. According to OddShark.com, the Nets sit at 150-1 to win it all next season.
Here is a look at the upcoming season's schedule as well as a look at the most notable games. The full schedule can be viewed here.
Analyzing Marquee Matchups
Nets at New York Knicks
When: Friday, December 4, 7 p.m. ET
It doesn't seem that the Nets and Knicks will be the biggest contenders in the Eastern Conference, but when it comes to the bragging rights of New York, an entertaining tilt will always be in store. In 179 games in the regular season, the Knicks hold a one-game advantage over the Nets, 90-89.
The fact that the Knicks were one of the worst teams in basketball last season automatically gives the Nets an advantage in their head-to-head matchup, but a regional rivalry always brings the best out of teams no matter how far they've fallen.
And while there is little chance anyone will take the honors of best player in the city away from the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, a healthy Brook Lopez, now the Nets' main star, will have the chance to make a statement of his own.
Former Knick Andrea Bargnani will also get a chance to show his old team what they're going to miss. Bargnani played just 71 games over two seasons with the Knicks, averaging 13.9 points per game.
These will be games on the schedule the Nets need to win if they have hopes of making the playoffs. Good teams beat the sides they are supposed to beat, simple as that. And the Nets should beat the Knicks every chance they get.
Toronto Raptors vs. Nets
When: Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Nets and Raptors get a chance to re-spark their rivalry in 2015, and the team north of the border has become one of the strongest sides in the East.
Brooklyn and Toronto's rivalry really came alive in the 2013-14 season when they met in the first round of the playoffs. That was when Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri decided to voice his candid opinion of the Nets in a rally before Game 1.
According to Mike Mazzeo and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com: "Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri shouted 'F--- Brooklyn!' at a fan rally outside Air Canada Centre prior to Game 1 of his team's first-round Eastern Conference playoff series Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets."
Brooklyn went on to win the series, but lost in the second round. Despite making the playoffs again last season, the Nets were handled by the Atlanta Hawks and bounced in the first round.
Playing a rival team like Toronto will be a decent measuring stick as to just how good this team can be in a weak Eastern Conference. If the Nets show regular-season dominance over the Raptors, there's a solid chance they are making the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Nets
When: Wednesday, December 23, 7:30 p.m.
Normally this would not be a marquee match up. But one man will make this a game to watch: Deron Williams.
The former Net will make his return to the Barclays Center where he will most likely be serenaded by a chorus of boos after their relationship fizzled out with Williams looking for any possible way to get out of Brooklyn.
The Nets will look to prove that life without Williams is indeed a better one, though they seem to be rolling into the season with some problems at the position.
ESPN.com lists the Nets point guard depth chart with veteran Jarrett Jack, who has usually found his niche coming off the bench, starting as he is backed up by former Knick back up Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan, who will be playing for his fifth different team in five years.
If the Nets are off to a slow start, they'll have this game circled on their calendars as a must-win to help improve morale. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere at the Barclays Center.
Record Prediction
The Nets are approaching the new season with a roster filled with players who have not seen much success in the league. Taking a look at their starting five, the Nets can feel good about their center position, but not much else. Lopez will be backed up by Bargnani, who could play a hybrid 4 if he excels early, warranting more playing time.
It remains to be seen what kind of production they'll get out of small forward Joe Johnson, who already faced an offseason in which he was rumored to be traded, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.
Recently Nets play-by-play man Ian Eagle told Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com, “I wouldn’t be shocked if he came off the bench this year,” Eagle said. “That would not shock me in the least bit.”
Johnson recorded his lowest scoring output in 2015 since the 2002-03 season and will have plenty of competition in rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who impressed in the summer league.
If Johnson comes committed and can find a way to regain that scoring touch that made him a premier offensive player, then the Nets might have something to work with.
Their X-factor could be shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic, who will be playing in his second season in the NBA in 2015-16. In 23.8 minutes per game last season, the Bosnian averaged 9.0 points per game, shooting 45.3 percent from the field. If he develops into a legitimate scoring option, one that creates a nice trio with Lopez and Johnson, then the Nets could make the playoffs comfortably, which isn't saying much considering it's in the Eastern Conference.
Regular-season record prediction: 40-42
Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com
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Source: Joe Pantorno http://ift.tt/1IHVVGQ
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