Brooklyn Nets: How far can Brook Lopez carry them?

The Brooklyn Nets are preparing to start the 2015-16 season and after years of high expectations, things are a bit different in Brooklyn this season.

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Brooklyn went all-in for a championship not too long ago with their star-studded starting lineup of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Brook Lopez. The window closed very quickly for the Nets’ title chances, as they were never a real threat in the Eastern Conference with LeBron James in Miami.

Mainly due to age and injuries, the Nets not reaching their lofty goals was to be expected. After the failure to bring in a ring, general manager Billy King had to readjust the Nets’ plan. In order to acquire the star-studded starting lineup, King had to the mortgage the future.

After buying out the contract of the Williams after he had a dreadful 2014-15 season, the only two stars left are Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez.

Johnson was once one of the best scorers in the NBA with his unique size and strength for the shooting guard position. In recent years, Johnson has been playing mostly at the small forward position. Although he isn’t the player he used to be, Johnson is still a very serviceable player for the Nets.

With Johnson not being a star player anymore that responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Brook Lopez. The days of dominant big men in the NBA may be coming to an end, but Lopez is still one of them at the center position.

Apr 27, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) shoots for three over Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Lopez is widely-regarded as one of the best offensive centers in the NBA with his ability to post up and also step out to hit a mid-range jump shot. There have been a few things about Lopez that have kept him from being considered a great player in the NBA, as injuries have cost him nearly two full seasons of games.

Besides the injury history, Lopez has also been criticized for being poor rebounder and defender. The Nets have seen coaches come and go the past few seasons, but their current coach Lionel Hollins really seemed to improve Lopez on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, Lopez improved as a rim protector with his large frame, and also averaged 7.4 rebounds per game which were his highest average since the 2009-10 season.

The Nets don’t have any title expectations in this upcoming season, but they do have the possibility to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. The health of Lopez will be key to any success the Nets have, as he showed that he can be the featured player on the Nets like last season.

A lot has changed in Brooklyn in the past few years and the 2015-16 season could be the dawning of the Lopez era.

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