Those poor New York Knicks fans. After so many seasons of their team coming up short, the last few years have given them a new thing to worry about: The Brooklyn Nets.
Although the Nets were once worse than the Knicks (The 2009-2010 team still holds the record for the worst 50-game start in sports history with a jaw-dropping 4-46), they have now become one of the most fearsome and impressive teams in the NBA. That'll happen when you land players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Blake Griffin. Yes, the Nets are a force to be reckoned with and it's hard to argue that they aren't the most powerful team in the Big Apple.
But that's not to say that the Knicks aren't impressive in their own right. This young, dynamic team has really come into its own over the last two seasons. Currently, the Knicks are better than they've been in ages. But are they even close to the Nets? Is there any chance they can surpass them? Is this subway series even really a series at all?
Let's look at the facts.
When you crunch the numbers from last season, the Nets and Knicks are neck-in-neck in a lot of ways. For example, the Nets have a higher two-point percentage. However, the Knicks do better with their three-pointers, even though it's just by a hair. The Knicks also have a lower turnover rate. But, again, just by a hair.
On paper, the Knicks are more impressive when it comes to steals and blocks. Last season, they eeked past the Nets in both of those categories while the Nets performed better with assists.
When you look at these numbers, you have to wonder why the records of the Nets and Knicks last year weren't basically the same. The Nets went 48-24 while the Knicks were 41-31. That's close but shouldn't it be closer?
Not really, because there is a difference between the teams that can't be summed up in statistics. You see, there is a reason why the Nets fought so hard to get Durant and the rest of this beefed-up squad. They have the wisdom and knowledge of the game that only comes with time and experience. Compared to them, the Knicks are a young, mostly-untested team. They lack the basketball IQ that is earned after multiple seasons, missed opportunities, and post-season wins and losses.
There is no statistic to summarize confidence, forethought, and grit. Currently, the Nets have that over the Knicks. Luckily, the more success the Knicks have, the better they will become.
Those poor New York Knicks fans. After so many seasons of their team coming up short, the last few years have given them a new thing to worry about: The Brooklyn Nets.
Although the Nets were once worse than the Knicks (The 2009-2010 team still holds the record for the worst 50-game start in sports history with a jaw-dropping 4-46), they have now become one of the most fearsome and impressive teams in the NBA. That'll happen when you land players like Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Blake Griffin. Yes, the Nets are a force to be reckoned with and it's hard to argue that they aren't the most powerful team in the Big Apple.
But that's not to say that the Knicks aren't impressive in their own right. This young, dynamic team has really come into its own over the last two seasons. Currently, the Knicks are better than they've been in ages. But are they even close to the Nets? Is there any chance they can surpass them? Is this subway series even really a series at all?
Let's look at the facts.
When you crunch the numbers from last season, the Nets and Knicks are neck-in-neck in a lot of ways. For example, the Nets have a higher two-point percentage. However, the Knicks do better with their three-pointers, even though it's just by a hair. The Knicks also have a lower turnover rate. But, again, just by a hair.
On paper, the Knicks are more impressive when it comes to steals and blocks. Last season, they eeked past the Nets in both of those categories while the Nets performed better with assists.
When you look at these numbers, you have to wonder why the records of the Nets and Knicks last year weren't basically the same. The Nets went 48-24 while the Knicks were 41-31. That's close but shouldn't it be closer?
Not really, because there is a difference between the teams that can't be summed up in statistics. You see, there is a reason why the Nets fought so hard to get Durant and the rest of this beefed-up squad. They have the wisdom and knowledge of the game that only comes with time and experience. Compared to them, the Knicks are a young, mostly-untested team. They lack the basketball IQ that is earned after multiple seasons, missed opportunities, and post-season wins and losses.
There is no statistic to summarize confidence, forethought, and grit. Currently, the Nets have that over the Knicks. Luckily, the more success the Knicks have, the better they will become.
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