Brooklyn Nets: Nets still have a lot to prove now despite being best team in New York
The Brooklyn Nets are the best team in New York, at almost every level. But, even after clinching the season series vs their cross-town rivals in blue and white, the Nets still need to earn respect.
The Brooklyn Nets, as I have mentioned on this column for weeks now, are in the fast lane to the NBA Playoffs.
In terms of small-picture bragging rights, the Nets are the best basketball team in New York. They have a better overall record than the Knicks. They have won the season series against the Knicks, and are just more fun to watch.
The Nets are now what the Knicks are trying to become. A young team, with a new innovative thinking head coach, and a team first focus, no real superstar yet.
light. Related Story. Where did the Nets land in our latest New York sports power rankings?
The only real difference between the long-term plans for both teams is that the Knicks are about to rely heavily on a top draft selection while the Nets have built their team without relying on the lottery.
Other than that, there are no significant similarities.
However, and this is no disrespect intended at the Nets, the Knicks are still the talk of the town. Still considered the “Premier New York Team” as I would put it.
No matter what the Nets do, it is always in comparison to the Knicks. Here is proof of that narrative:
Here's our @NYDNSports back page for Saturday:
— Scott Chiusano (@scottchiusano) January 26, 2019
The @BrooklynNets have taken over New York, and the embarrassing @nyknicks keep on tanking (@SBondyNYDN): https://t.co/RhF4lknD2J@IAmCHAP24 @S_C_ @BackPageGuyNYDN @ESPNNBA @NBAonTNT @APSE_sportmedia pic.twitter.com/dc7ObgU4gs
If you look at the cover of the Daily News, and I guess it is even an upgrade from the norm that the Nets even make the cover, there is still a subtle insult at the Nets.
Instead of glorifying their recent stretch, the stretch that has seen them win six in a row and 8 out of 10, it takes them beating the “shameful” Knicks to get noticed.
Then, saying it’s not saying much” that the Nets are the best hoops team in NY, is not right. They are one of the best teams in the NBA right now period.
This is not the Daily News’ fault. I get it. People still would rather read about the Knicks, but there has to be a different way to tell this narrative.
The Nets being great and the Knicks being horrible have no direct correlation to each other. Yeah, they share a city and play similar opponents within the division, but that ends the similarities in terms of the right-now product.
The story shouldn’t be that the Nets are the best team in New York because the Knicks are an absolute joke, the story should be that the Nets are the best team in New York because they can play the game of basketball competently.
The comparison of two teams that share this wonderful city, and this is a problem that goes across all five major sports league is getting absurd.
We all need to stop comparing the Nets to the Knicks. They are different teams with different and unique fan bases.
The Knicks being a joke is not why the Nets are the best team in NY. The Nets are the best team in NY because they are better team. That has nothing to do with the Knicks.
It is like saying the Giants are better than the Jets because the Giants won one more games this season. They don’t play in the same conference and are both rebuilding so what does it matter?
The Nets are a team on a mission. Even losing Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t slow them down vs the Knicks.
That is the real story here, that should be the cover of the Daily News, not comparing the two.
Plus, I think we can all agree that this argument between Nets and Knicks fan and New York City supremacy is only fun when both teams are great at the same time and it’s at least close.
Until this year, both teams have been so terrible it meant nothing to have the better record between the two.
Maybe make this argument is more timely if we are ever lucky enough to watch them meet up in the playoffs one year, winner takes the crown of King of New York City.
Until then, just wait, Nets fans. Just wait because one day, probably soon, the Nets will not need the Knicks to be on the covers of a NY City magazine.
Just wait, the Nets will not need to be compared to the Knicks solely to see where the Knicks are at.
Just wait, Nets fans, because pretty soon everyone is going to find out just how great this team can be, in New York, out in Sacramento, anywhere.
Next. Breaking down what the Nets have to do without Spencer Dinwiddie. dark
That is what being a New York team is really about, being an overall winner. Not just the best team in the market. A market that 11 major teams share.