As we’re approaching the 10-day countdown to the NBA season commencing, we are also reaching the Top 10 for the SneakerReporter NBA Top 30. And ranking at #11, we have the Brooklyn Nets.

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11. Brooklyn Nets: Can the new top team out of New York be the new top team of the league?

The Nets provided an exciting season for their fans last season, going 42-40, ranked as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. The organization has really made quite the turnaround, from once being one of the lesser teams as of the last 4 years. They were able to really make a solid push for the Playoffs, however making an unfortunate early exit in the first round to the 76ers.

The Nets’ roster compared from last year to this year went from good to great. Not to take anything away from the things that the Nets were able to do last year with D’Angelo Russell at the helm, but the roster has been fairly upgraded. With big names such as Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan, the Nets are even scarier than they were last year. Although Durant will most likely spend the season out with injury, looking at who remains on the roster should be interesting to watch nonetheless. There’s a solid mix of veterans and young talent on this roster, with names like Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen to Wilson Chandler, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Garrett Temple, this team has a little bit of everything. From shooting wings, scorers at the guard positions, and two very strong defensive anchors for their frontcourt in Jordan and Allen, the Nets will cause some frustration for teams on both sides of the floor.

Basketball fans worldwide expect to see the Nets do well this upcoming season, but whatever the case may be for them, it’s only a taste of what their potential is as a group. “Why?” is what you may be asking yourself, and to answer that I have only two words for you, “Kevin Durant”. The 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals Champion will spend little-to-no time on the basketball floor this season, and once he comes back, the league be best to watch out. Whether you are a fan of the man or not, Durant is without a doubt one of the best scorers in the league today. And to be alongside the cast that this team has once he comes back, can only mean a solid chance to contend for the title in years to come.

Personally, part of me was indifferent with the Nets’ off-season moves. I really enjoyed watching the thrilling backcourt of D’Angelo and Dinwiddie playing together, have bench celebrations after every three pointer, regardless of who made the shot. Brooklyn basketball seemed fun. This doesn’t mean that it no longer is, with their new roster, but I doubt that it will be the same. I think with their roster, the Nets will be solidified into the Playoffs for awhile. It is only a matter of competing against the other top teams is where we’ll see where they truly are in regards to being Championship caliber.