At this time a year ago, the Nets were getting set to embark on the inaugural season in Brooklyn, one that promised a bright new future for the franchise that had long been forced to play in the shadow of their more glamorous neighbors across the Hudson River throughout their 35 years in New Jersey.
But after a successful first season inside the city limits — including 49 wins and a fourth place finish in the Eastern Conference — the moves the Nets made this summer have ensured this team no longer will have to play second-fiddle to the Knicks in terms of star power.
After Nets general manager Billy King’s busy offseason included hiring Jason Kidd as the head coach, trading for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, and signing Andrei Kirilenko, on Tuesday the team begins its second training camp as Brooklyn’s team with stars galore, not to mention one of the NBA’s deepest rosters — and easily its most expensive.
Put it all together, and the Nets are about to embark on what easily is their most anticipated season in their NBA history. And, with that in mind, here are five issues to ponder ahead of the opening of training camp Tuesday at Duke University.
Jason Kidd transition to coach
Kidd has long been considered to possess one of the highest basketball IQs in the history of the sport. But it remains to be seen what kind of coach he will be. The Nets tapped him as its next head coach less than two weeks after he retired from a first-ballot, Hall-of-Fame-type career. Now, the greatest player in the Nets’ NBA history is faced with a new challenge: navigating his first season on the bench with a high-priced and talented roster that is expected to compete with the Heat, Pacers and Bulls atop the Eastern Conference.
To help Kidd, the Nets have invested in an impressive array of assistant coaches, including former Nets coach Lawrence Frank, John Welch, Roy Rogers and Eric Hughes. With Welch serving as offensive coordinator and Frank running the defense, Kidd is trying to emulate the power structure that worked so well for Larry Bird in his three years as Pacers coach at the turn of the century.
Keeping vets healthy
There’s no question the Nets added plenty of talent with Pierce, Garnett and Kirilenko. Though they are supremely talented, they all have a played a lot of basketball over the course of their careers.
Kidd’s biggest challenge is going to be ensuring his veterans are healthy and ready to go once the playoffs begin in April — when the success and failure of this season will be determined. One thing that should help is the amount of depth the Nets’ possess. With surplus options on both the wings and down low, Kidd should be able to rest his older players periodically, as well as limit everyone’s minutes to keep them as fresh as possible for the postseason.
Which Deron Williams?
Will the Nets see the Williams who struggled through pain in both ankles over the first half of last season, or the one who blistered opponents after the All-Star break and looked like one that could give any point guard in the league a run for his money? The Nets need that second version of Williams if they want to get to where they want to go this season.
Despite suffering a sprained ankle while working out in Utah earlier this month, Williams said last week he’ll be ready for the start of camp and looked rested and refreshed after hardly getting a break for the previous 18 months before this summer. The Nets will hope that is the case.
No limping Lopez
Lopez bounced back from a pair of right foot injuries that wiped out virtually all of his 2011-12 season with vigor, leading all NBA centers in scoring and deservedly making his first All-Star team. But Lopez also missed seven games with an unrelated injury to his right foot early last season, then had a procedure to replace a bent screw in his foot after it was discovered in his postseason physical following the Nets’ first-round loss to the Bulls back in May.
The 7-footer is fully healthy and working out now, but the Nets need him to stay that way all season if they want to live up to be legitimate championship contenders.
Defense the key
This, as much as anything, could determine the ceiling of this team. Virtually every championship-caliber team possesses a top-10 defense — something Garnett and Pierce know from experience after helping to form excellent defensive units throughout their time together in Boston.
Last season, the Nets were tied for 18th in defensive efficiency, according to NBA.com, allowing 103.6 points per 100 possessions. If the Nets can pair what should again be a top-10 offense (ninth last year) with a top-10 defense, they will be a true force to be reckoned with.