NBA Preview: Brooklyn Nets the most improved team in the league?

Brooklyn Nets

Placing last season: 22-44 (12^th in Eastern Conference)

Key moves: The newly formed Brooklyn Nets (formerly New Jersey Nets) are probably the most improved team in the league, having splashed out in the offseason. The Nets, keen to draw fans to their new billion dollar stadium, re-signed Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez before making their biggest move in signing Joe Johnson, having traded away many of their peripheral players to get him.

Challenges ahead: The questions really centre on whether the acquisitions and re-signings will make the team into a title contender as Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov wishes.

The answer really is no, the Nets spent a huge amount of money on signing good, but not great, players. Deron Williams is the only player that is a genuine all-star while the others are just good.

They will definitely secure their first playoff berth, barring any injuries, since 2006, but whether they can move to the next step and go deep in the postseason is another matter.

Reason to be positive: For a team that hasn’t been in the postseason for so long, Nets fans should be optimistic. The club has an owner that is willing to back the team financially and they have just moved to a new stadium.

Prediction: 47-35 (4^th in Eastern Conference)

image: © chamberoffear

Jason Torquato

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Jason Torquato has always been passionate about sport and has played golf and tennis from a young age. In recent years, he has mostly enjoyed sport from his sofa, which has allowed him to accumulate knowledge and good understanding of numerous disciplines, with a special focus on American sports. Jason can’t fall asleep or wake up without listening to a sport podcast.