#1 - Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets earn my highest offseason grade for the 2013-2014 NBA season. Since the trade went down this summer, sending Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and Kevin Garnett from Boston to Brooklyn in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph and three future first-round draft picks, I've been adamant and outspoken on radio airwaves, my Spreecast channel, and this blog, that Brooklyn just acquired themselves the best starting five in the NBA on paper and undisputedly the biggest threat to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.

Adding the veteran presence, competitive grit, and championship experience of Pierce, Garnett, and Terry with a young, talented core of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez is significant because we know the kind of impact those guys bring to the table. It's why Williams alluded to the energy being better after just one practice with his new teammates earlier this month. When I look at the starting five of Williams-Johnson-Pierce-Garnett-Lopez, I see the potential for a productive shot every offensive possession. All five players are highly capable scoring options. With Jason Terry comes that necessary spark plug off the bench, along with fellow new signee Andrei Kirilenko, a willing and experienced defensive presence. 

Even more so than Jason Kidd, who was hired in June before the blockbuster trade, the hiring of Lawrence Frank as an assistant was likely the most notable staff addition. Frank not only coached Kidd in New Jersey, but coached Pierce and Garnett under Doc Rivers in Boston. His defensive mind is established and he brings a dose of familiarity. Still, I recognize the challenge for Kidd to make this thing mesh right away. Aside from adjusting to his first year as a head coach, leading and directing players he competed against just last season, it's up to Kidd to rally this group under sound offensive and defensive principles. Nonetheless, I feel strongly that factors of individual talent, depth in the front court, more scoring options, and now some championship experience should make the Brooklyn Nets the most viable candidate to dethrone the two-time defending champs.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

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Deron Williams: Nets' energy is better after one practice

Jason Kidd conducted his first practice as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday in Durham, North Carolina. Ohm Youngmisuk from ESPN New York reported from the Nets' training camp with emphasis on their All-Star point guard Deron Williams. He described the atmosphere as "a better feeling" and "more intense" with his new head coach, and new teammates Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, and Andrei Kirilenko. 

Williams said he could barely explain this momentum that had an "excitement" coursing through the practice facility. I've got a two-word explanation for him: Championship auras. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are two champions who require mental, physical, and vocal toughness from their teammates (per usual, Garnett was said to be quarterbacking the Nets' defensive segments). Kidd and Terry won championships together on the 2011 Dallas Mavericks team that stung the Miami Heat. Even Coach K visited with the team before their session. Look around, D-Will; you have veteran, championship experience surrounding you. There's your explanation.

It's also why I've been adamant about my expectations for this Brooklyn roster. The young, talented, often-sporadic nucleus of Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez should endure a significant influence from the likes of those who have been where the Nets want to be come next June. Lopez has no choice but to at least act tough playing alongside KG, and the high-low game should be more viable because of Garnett's shooting and passing abilities. Williams and Johnson should not have to rely on hot-potato, one-on-one break downs if Pierce can merely play the steady safety net in tight situations. In retrospect, Pierce and Garnett are exactly at the stages in their careers where they need some sporadic youth to supplement what can't be done themselves. After all, one could argue it was their influence that ultimately helped cultivate the level of confidence from one Rajon Rondo in Boston. 

More likely than not, the key to Brooklyn's immediate success is Jason Kidd's ability to effectively coach this team. In terms of having a capable offensive player at each position, I believe Kidd should have the best starting five in the league on that side of the ball, pound-for-pound. Fitting those styles into a working offense will be the first thing I watch for. According to Williams, (per KG) the Nets' goal will be to hold teams under 80 points per game. Kidd has the advantage of assistant coach Lawrence Frank, who both coached him in New Jersey and Pierce and Garnett in Boston under Doc Rivers. Some familiarity and plenty of experience is what gives this new-look Brooklyn team a potentially frightening chance in the Eastern conference.

So get that ankle up to snuff, D-Will, and look to reap the benefits of your superior environment.