I talked to YESNetwork.com columnist Lou DiPietro about the upside and flipside of the Nets’ new lineup.
The Brooklyn Nets acquired a lot of experience, especially championship experience, when they imported Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry from Boston this summer and added Andrei Kirilenko as a free agent – but as Nets on YES analyst (and 1985-86 NBA Coach of the Year) Mike Fratello warns, experience also could mean a little bit of a breakdown if the team isn’t careful.
“The team’s biggest X-Factor…can I say the team’s medical staff? Because I think that their biggest concern is going to be the status of these older players as they go through the season,” Fratello said. “The big question is, can they remain healthy for an 82-game season? They’re relying on a lot of guys who have a lot of mileage on them, and while these guys have always kept themselves in good shape and have always been in good health, in a season where the expectations are as high as they are in Brooklyn, the team can’t afford to have key guys go down with big time or serious injuries.” Read more…
The Brooklyn Nets come to Cleveland tonight to take on the Cavaliers in Game 1 of both squads’ regular season slates. Last season Brooklyn finished 49-33 and lost a tough first round playoff series to Chicago in 7 games. The 2012-13 Cavaliers ended up at 24-58, suffering through several lengthy injuries to key guys.
There was plenty of excitement on the Cleveland side as well this offseason. Owner Dan Gilbert brought back Mike Brown as head coach after he was let go in 2010. They chose the 6’8” ultra-talented UNLV freshman Anthony Bennett with the #1 overall pick in draft. In addition, they signed veteran 7-footer Andrew Bynum, who when healthy is one of the top big men in the league. Bynum’s status is listed as “to be determined,” so he may not suit up for the Cavaliers for while.
