Nets vs. Knicks: A Tale of Two Teams

Imagine you are Kevin Durant, arguably the second-best player in basketball at this very moment. You're in the last year of your contract with the Golden State Warriors, the team that has been to four straight NBA Finals, three of which you have a been a major focal point in, and a two-time Finals MVP winner. Now, though, you've ruptured your Achilles, your team is currently losing to Kawhi Leonard's Toronto Raptors, and the team that is equipped with two, perhaps even three, legitimate All-Star players in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Throughout your whole Warriors career, you have been mocked, triggered, and poked at for joining them because it seemed like the easy way out. Now you're probably going to be out for the rest of next season; the Warriors don't seem intent on signing you to a max deal; and it looks like the Golden State Dynasty is ending. Would you have left for Brooklyn?

Now picture Kyrie Irving, the Boston Celtic point guard that hasn't lived up to his expectations in Boston nor has he particularly enjoyed the city of Boston, the coaching of Brad Stevens, and the team surrounding him. You're hearing about the opportunity to link up with Kevin Durant, but instead of joining a team that is a recognizable brand with little potential, there is a chance to play for the crosstown rival that is doing way better in the standings and with player development. Sounds like an easy choice, right?

The Brooklyn Nets inked Durant and Irving to two four-year max contracts two weeks ago on Sunday, July 2; Irving's worth around $114 million and Durant's $164 million. The Nets made a major franchise switch, as they went from being almost irrelevant in the eyes of fans to a legitimate title contender, even if Durant has to sit out next season due to his injury. While there was a lot of hype around rumors about both of these superstars going to the Knicks, the fact of the matter is this: KD and Kyrie chose the Nets over the New York Knicks because the Nets offered more. Not just money, but more chances for success.

The Knicks have been incredibly awful for almost 27 years. Sure, there were some "good" times with Carmelo Anthony in 2012 and 2013, but let's be real, those accomplishments are lackluster in comparison to the Nets' achievements since relocating from New Jersey in 2012. The Nets have made the playoffs four times compared to the Knicks' three appearances. While that may not seem like much difference, the Nets didn't have a Carmelo Anthony or Kristaps Porzingis-type player, unless you want to count Deron Williams or D'Angelo Russell. The Nets have made the postseason more times with less than the Knicks have with All-Star players like Melo or Latvian demigods like Porzingis. New York City is now becoming a tale of two teams: you have the Knicks, the old, legendary team that has never figured out a way to find success in the modern NBA and has an owner who is more concerned with the Knicks as a brand rather than a winning basketball franchise. The Nets, though...they bring a young team with some seasoned veterans who showed that the right coaching can get the best out of players and have the chance to contend strongly in the Eastern Conference (and have the playoff berth to show for it). The Knicks have been making terrible decisions regarding the future of the franchise, so much so that they brought ESPN's Stephen A. Smith to tears.

KD and Kyrie in Brooklyn is another stepping point in the Eastern Conference's revival. While the Western Conference remains chock full of talent, the Nets are finally emerging as another Eastern team that could contend for the title and bring back a bit of competitive balance in the NBA. Even with these additions, I don't think we should expect the Nets to make the Finals in the first season with these two. When KD returns from injury, however, bigs things will happen.