The upcoming 2015-16 NBA season may be an interesting one for the Brooklyn Nets. Deron Williams is gone, securing a buyout, and then signing with the Dallas Mavericks over the summer. Guard Jarrett Jack will probably start in his place, although head coach Lionel Hollins is not ready to commit to that scenario this soon.
Center Brook Lopez, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal in the offseason, is healthy and elated that he did not have to spend this summer rehabbing. He wants to be more of a team leader. “I want to be the guy to lead the team,” said Lopez. Referring to an earlier conversation he had with Hollins, he added, “I told Lionel that they can count on me.”
Shooting guard-small forward Joe Johnson is—well, you know—Joe Johnson. He did admit that he was surprised about Williams’ departure.
“I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen, if I was going to get traded, if he was going to get traded,” Johnson said, “but I didn’t see that coming.”
What makes Brooklyn really formidable is the consistent play of forward Thaddeus Young, who arrived midseason earlier this year in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. Young has known Lopez since the eighth grade.
“We compliment each other well,” stated Young during media day interviews at the Nets’ practice facility in Rutherford, N.J.
Credit General Manager Billy King for an astute trade and signing, getting a player who fits in and who immediately made significant contributions.
Brooklyn opens their season Oct. 28 at home against the Chicago Bulls. Until then, they’ll prepare for the 82 games with preseason games on the road against the Detroit Pistons starting tonight, Thursday, and the Philadelphia 76ers this Saturday, and against the Boston Celtics at the Barclays Center next Wednesday.
They’ll have a balance of veterans and younger players vying to solidify themselves on a team that ended last season 38-44, barely an eighth seed, a decline from the season before, when they finished sixth.
“We have an opportunity to surprise people,” said Lopez. “We want to make the playoffs and be competitive.”