Why the New Jersey Nets Will Win a Title in the Next Five Years

on 06 14, 2010

In case you haven’t figured it out from my previous columns, I am a New Jersey Nets fan.  Unfortunately.

Look, I’m not here to dive into the past and let you read about how sad and depressing it is.  I’m not looking for pity.  Not this time.  Not on this day.  We have a bright future, a very bright future.  So, for the next however-many words, I’m going to let you know how bright it is.

I honestly believe the Nets are going to win a title sometime in the next five years.  I know that sounds insane—this is the team who just finished a season where they won twelve games.  But that isn’t the point.  Their past has absolutely nothing to do with why they are going to do it.  It’s all about the future.  And today, that future began.

So here we go.  I made a list:

1. Mikhail Prokhorov Guarantees It

Okay, I know, I know.  An owner/coach/player/GM guaranteeing success is common and means nothing, blah blah blah.  Here’s my response: Mikhail Prokhorov has been insanely convincing so far even before his tenure with the Nets officially began.  He shows a legitimate desire to win.  Plus, he has this little thing called, um, a lot of money.  Prokhorov can go over the salary cap: with $17 billion to his name, it’s almost a bottomless pocket.  I honestly believe he will pull out all the stops: pay what must be paid, get who he must get.  I have so much faith in this guy.  If he says we’ll have a title in five years, then we’ll have a title in five years.

In case you need any further evidence, just watch this video:

2. Cap Space

We have to dive into the past a little.  When the Nets traded Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter in an effort to free up cap space, I was pissed.  But now I understand.  Plain and simple: an aging point guard, an average small forward and a choking guard are just not going to win you a title.  So, while it seems like we gave up no one for them, that was the best move.  Money is good and now we have a lot.  It’s time for the Nets to make a splash this summer. The players we get a hold of in July will be the leaders and future of the Nets.

The main issue with this is if the Nets are an attractive enough name to bring in major talent.  Well, that will be up for debate until the free agents sign on.  My biased opinion says that the move to Brooklyn will be enough to bring in someone.  Speaking of which…

3. The Brooklyn Nets

The move to Brooklyn is going to do so much more than just create a new arena and bring a team to a city that deserves one.  First off, this move is going to be sexy for free agents.  It’s not so much of a huge deal right now, but when that team becomes the first team in Brooklyn in however many years, it’s going to be huge.  They will gain so many more fans solely on this move.  My theory: a team that plays in a popular city will be supported by more people, a team with more support will be more motivated, a talented and motivated team will do well in the post-season.  There you go.

4. Avery Johnson

This is the new news.  The Nets filled a major vacancy at the head coaching position with Johnson, a big-name coach who is sure to reel in some players.  See, all the things the Nets are doing now are all in the sake of garnering new players on their team.  They are planning only for the future.  The past is put right behind them.  This years team is going to be nothing like the team last year.  It’ll be like the Thunder this season–once the team matures, gets some chemistry and learns to win, they will be unstoppable.  They have the base, they just need the tower.

I’ll admit, my theories with the Nets will work with other NBA teams, especially developing ones.  But, I’m telling you this team is going to go up so much from last season. Watch out, if you don’t see it coming, they are going to catch you by surprise.

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