NBA PREVIEW: IN-DEPTH LOOK PART 5

The final part of our NBA season preview reveals the teams ranked between the sixth and first place.

Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, Alan Anderson, Andray Blatche, Reggie Evans, Shaun Livingston, Mirza Teletovic, Mason Plumlee, Andrei Kirilenko, Tornike Shengelia.

Thanks to a series of unexpected moves, the Brooklyn Nets’ championship window has officially opened.

Over the summer, we saw four stories stand out from the rest. Those standout stories were:

-Dwight Howard to Houston;

-Derrick Rose’s comeback;

-Jason Kidd becomes Nets head coach;

-Nets-Celtics trade.

As you can see, Brooklyn makes up for half of that list.

I’ll admit, when the J-Kidd move was finalized I was very dubious, but when I thought “Deron Williams loves Kidd!!”..and…”the only difference between him last year and him this year is the suit”, I realised that I was over-panicking a bit. To help him along the way, he also has two widely-respected assistant coaches in Lawrence Frank and Joe Prunty, who will mentor him during these learning stages.

In addition to hiring Kidd, Billy King revamped his roster by trading for star veterans Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry. Despite being in the twilight of their respective careers, they can still provide All-Star-level minutes and priceless wisdom to their teammates.

With a starting five of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Brook Lopez, a championship is a more-than feasible goal.

All hail to the new kings of New York!!

Hired Jason Kidd as head coach, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko, Alan Anderson, Shaun Livingston, Mason Plumlee (draft).

As a floor general for the Nets, Jason Kidd led them to two NBA Finals, made six All-Star games, and led the league in assists three times. As a result, we have every reason to believe that his successes on the court will translate on the sideline.

Deron Williams is coming off a down year where he didn’t make the All-Star team and didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs. With all the new additions and expectations around this franchise, I have no doubt that he’ll bounce back.

While their championship window won’t stay open for long, not many squads will want to face these Nets some post-season.

Despite boasting of a star-studded starting five, Jason Kidd will have the luxury to pick and choose an excellent second unit from a line of players composed of: Shaun Livingston, Alan Anderson, Mason Plumlee, Andray Blatche, Reggie Evans, and Andrei Kirilenko.

All hail the new kings of New York!!

Because of their age, it is critical that the old vets (Garnett, Pierce, Terry) find ways to stay off the injury list. Their championship ambitions depend on it.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Thabo Sefolosha, Reggie Jackson, Nick Collison, Derek Fisher, Andre Roberson, Steven Adams, Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb, Hasheem Thabeet, Ryan Gomes.

The absence of Russell Westbrook during the playoffs made everybody realize how much Kevin Durant relies on him. Until he gets back, the Thunder will have to depend on Durant’s prolific scoring and hope that one of the supporting cast (i.e. Ibaka, Jackson, Lamb) takes a major leap.

The James Harden trade will haunt this franchise forever. I say this because last season’s bitter ending could have been avoided had they kept Harden and found an alternative.

For the next decade-plus, after every OKC failure, the Harden trade will be held as scapegoat.

If the Thunder want to relieve the successes of two years ago, Scott Brooks has to find a permanent recovery for James Harden.

With Westbrook back, and an eventual third option, the Thunder should contend for the top two seats in the West.

Steven Adams (draft), Andre Roberson (draft), Ryan Gomes.

With no one to share the spotlight with, I’m expecting Kevin Durant to go on a scoring rampage and record a new career high.

Jeremy Lamb’s scoring prowess should make him a worthy substitute to Kevin Martin.

December 19. OKC vs Bulls a.k.a ‘The Rose vs Westbrook Clash’. This is one of a few face-offs that I would die to watch.

Throughout pre-season, Serge Ibaka has been catching me off guard with his long jumpers. He has gotten very comfortable with those mid-range shots.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Shane Battier, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, James Jones, Chris Andersen, JoelAnthony, Michael Beasley, Norris Cole, Greg Oden, Roger Mason Jr., Rashard Lewis.

A statistically off the charts season by LeBron is a yearly gift that basketball gods never fail to bestow upon us.

In hopes of a healthy season and a potential fourth ring, Dwyane Wade spent the summer working out with elite trainer Tim Grover. Hopefully we’ll start referring to him as “Flash” instead of constantly picking at his declining game.

Greg Oden and Michael Beasley are two former high lottery picks who, despite all the disappointments, have been handed the chance to become a valuable member of a first-class franchise. They’ll both turn out great for the Heat.

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