Nets fans, things are looking up. Don't believe any negative press. Yeah New Jersey had the worst record in the league last year and threatened to be worst of all time, but they finished winning 5 of their last 12 including their only back to back wins of the season. In that stretch, they beat the Spurs and Bulls, both of whom were battling for playoff positioning.
OK- things have been hard in New Jersey. They survived Stephon Marbury and were rewarded with Jason Kidd. 2 invigorating trips to the finals and several years of strong basketball were the most excitement ever seen in the swamp of the Meadowlands. Yet no championship and questionable front office moves sent all the best Nets elsewhere while the few fans who showed up were humiliated by loss after loss.
Things are different now. The team is beginning its final season at the Izod Center formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena formerly known as Brendan Byrne Arena. They'll spend 2 years in lovely Newark, New Jersey. It might not be New York, but at least it's a city, not a swamp. After that, they will move to their final destination, Brooklyn, New York. With the Nets Dancers' recent invitation to a Manhattan major movie premier, it's almost like they've already moved into the spotlight in the Big Apple.
Even better, the Nets' new owner, 6'8" billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov envisions making the team a globally popular brand from Brooklyn to Manhattan to Russia throughout Europe and all the way to Asia. Mike (as he likes to be called) plans to inspire Knick fans to become Nets fans. He's considering changing the team name when they move to Brooklyn - a great idea. And he's set his sights on making the playoffs next season and winning a title within 5 years.
Prokhorov was the owner of a very successful Euroleague team, CSKA Moscow. The NBA will be a much bigger challenge, but he will enlist the help of minority owner Jay-Z to ease the transition. He's already removed GM Kiki Vandeweghe and spoke openly about the team's need for a strong PF to play with Brooke Lopez. He knows the game and wants to win now, but he doesn't feel pressure. "I've never lost my cool, even in love affairs," he said. "If you have Plan B and Plan C, you are all the time relaxed."
Some Nets fans lamented missing out on the number 1 pick in the draft lottery on Tuesday. However, the #1 pick is no guarantee of a great player. In the last 15 years, less than half of the #1 picks came into the league as strong players who went on to dominate. 1st pick disasters like Kwame Brown and 2nd pick busts like last year's Hasheem Thabeet are just as likely as late pick gems like Rajon Rondo at #21 and David Lee at #30. If the Nets put together a good scouting team, they should be able to come away with a pick that will be a strong player for years.
So Net fans, don't fret. You're at rock bottom. 2 new cities, 2 new arenas, 1 new owner and a cast of new players later, you might just find your team deep in the playoffs. Jason Kidd made lighting strike twice. Imagine what billionaire Big Mike can do.
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