Brooklyn Nets: The dark horse in the east

Opportunities:

Can Brooklyn re-ignite the Nets- Knicks rivalry?

Provided their players can stay healthy, Nets stand a good chance of finishing higher in the table, probably displacing Indiana, New York or Chicago to enter the top 3 in the east.

Their improved play would re-ignite the Nets- Knicks rivalry and they could stand a good chance of either splitting or winning the season series. It could be seen as an upset considering the number of years the Knicks have dominated, losing the season series consecutively only when the Nets offence was orchestrated by Kidd in the early years of the millennium.

Their trip en route to the finals would have hurdles, of which I’m quite certain they would cross the first one and make it to the Conference semis. They would make headlines however, if they reach the Conference Finals, keeping in mind to get there they would have to get through one of the following four of Indiana, Chicago, New York or defending champs Miami Heat.

Why are the Nets the dark horse?

Their roster has been assembled in such a way that it is not easy to predict their position at the end of the season. If age gives way to injuries, wins could become hard to get. At that position, making any statement in the league would not be given any attention because they can’t put actions behind their words.

Having said that, if luck and health go their way, they could be a serious force to reckon with throughout the regular season and also come Playoff time.

Verdict:

They have a talented roster, no doubt, but to be able to win a championship in their first season with a team consisting of 6 relatively new players seems a little far-fetched. If everything falls into place, I see them at best making it to the Conference Finals, though the semis seem more appropriate as to where they would finish.