Future Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal recently pegged the Brooklyn Nets as the better team in the Big Apple. So who is better, the Knicks or Nets? Let’s take a look.
The Nets prospective starting Lineup:
C Brook Lopez
PF Kevin Garnett
SF Paul Pierce
SG Joe Johnson
PG Deron Williams
Outside of Kevin Garnett each player averaged over 16 points per game last season. Although Garnett, 37 and Pierce, 35, are in their later years, both bring a tenacity and heart that the Nets need. Williams, when at his best, is in the conversation for best point guard in the NBA. Lopez is arguable the best scoring center in the league and Johnson was one of the most clutch players in the NBA last season.
Garnett and Pierce can provide a great amount of efficiency this season since they are arguably the fourth/fifth or third/fourth scoring options this season and don’t have to carry the load.
Also, Brook Lopez has arguably been soft in the past and Nets fans are hoping some of Garnett’s fight rubs off on Lopez.
The Knicks prospective Staring Lineup:
C Tyson Chandler
PF Andrea Bargani
SF Carmelo Anthony
SG Iman Shumpert
PG Raymond Felton
The Knicks have their work cut out for them if they are going to be better than the Nets. The major upside for the Knickerbockers is their possession of the best player out of both squads, forward Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks added Andrea Bargani from the Raptors who can be an efficient scorer when healthy. They still have center Tyson Chandler who, when at his best, is one of the best defensive forces in the league. Point guard Raymond Felton is by no means as good as Deron Williams but does provide a respectable option at starting point guard. The Knicks also resigned J.R. Smith who can provide instant offense.
The Knicks have two wildcard situations this season. The first comes in the form of Amare Stoudemire. If he is healthy he can provide offense and decent rebounding. Of course there is also the question of whether or not he and Anthony can play together when they are both on the floor.
The Knicks second wildcard is guard Iman Shumpert. Shumpert has already established himself as one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. Where the Georgia Tech product needs to improve is in the offensive area.
Shump has both the ability and athleticism to become a great shooter and good scorer in the league. (There have already been reports that he is working on his shot during Summer League games.) If Shump can at least become, as ESPN NBA analyst and defensive great Bruce Bowen put it, a 3 & D guy (being able to shoot the 3 and play lockdown defense), the Knicks will improve greatly. If he can use his athleticism to get to the rim from time to time, then the Knicks have another legitimate scoring option in addition to Anthony, Smith and Bargani.
As of right now the Nets get the nod for best team in New York simply because their talent level is much greater than the Knicks. In addition to their starting lineup, the Nets feature a much deeper bench with the likes of guard Jason Terry, forward Andrei Kirilenko and forward Andray Blatche. The Knicks on the other hand have a bench that doesn’t really go past J.R. Smith. (It is unkown how healthy Stoudemire will be or if he will start of come off the bench.)
Regardless of the debate, we can’t really make any real decisions until the two teams actually play the games.
