Brooklyn Nets: Why New Look Won't Immediately Change the Bad Times

It would be very convenient if a change of scenery and color schemes altered the direction of a franchise, as it did for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, for Jay-Z and the Brooklyn Nets, it will take a few years before the organization is contending for the title.

The Nets are coming off a pretty poor 22-44 season in 2011. Obviously, that was not the way ownership planned on igniting a sense of optimism in the fanbase entering their new beginning. 

Now, the first order of business for the franchise is to re-sign star free-agent Deron Williams. He is among the top three point guards in the NBA, no matter how the numbers are analyzed. He led the team in points at 21.0 per game and assists with 8.7 per game, and he displayed his big-game acumen by scoring 38 points on 8-of-14 long-distance shooting against the New York Knicks during the height of the Jeremy Lin craze.

If he is to leave, of which he has not given an indication either way, the Nets would most likely be cellar dwellers. 

Assuming the Nets ownership locks him up, however, the team must still find a way to improve significantly. The defense allowed 100.4 points per game, which would not have been a detrimental issue if the offense averaged more than 94 points per game.

First, the good news.

With the return of a healthy Brook Lopez, the Nets could have a formidable frontcourt duo along with Kris Humphries. Lopez was limited to five games due to injury in 2011, but averaged 20.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 2010. That type of production could increase with Deron Williams in the fold.

Humphries had himself a very productive season, averaging 13.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, despite the harsh public criticism. Their frontcourt offense should be solid for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately, the focus returns back to the defense. That defense, tweets John Schuhmann, was actually statistically the worst in 20 years.

The Nets allowed points at a high clip and allowed teams to shoot extremely efficiently. Ranking last in opponents field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and defensive rebounds are not exactly a recipe for success.

The team must target a defensive-minded superstar. Sounds like someone that currently plays in Orlando...

In December, Chris Broussard of ESPN broke the story that Dwight Howard asked to be traded to the New Jersey Nets. It seemed all but imminent, until Howard changed his mind and elected to sign a waiver to keep him in Orlando through the season.

Now, after having Stan Van Gundy fired in Orlando, it would seem logical that the Magic are all-in to keep Howard in Orlando.

In that event, the Nets are dealt a crushing blow by having their prime target fall by the wayside.

Out of the remaining free agents, many of them could add offensive production to the Nets, but that is not what the Nets are in search of.

According to the Daily News, the Nets may also make a push for veteran Kevin Garnett. He is clearly an accomplished winner, but the Nets should look for players that can help in the long-term as well, so that they can sustain a winning period as opposed to having a two- or three-year window at most.

The Brooklyn Nets have a bit of decision-making to do this offseason. They must create a winning team to sell to their fanbase, with only about $8 million in salary cap space and they must be able to bring back Deron Williams or else the entire plan can blow up.

Is it possible that the front office is able to find a way to sign multiple free agents that can enable the Nets to compete in the Eastern Conference? Anything is possible.

Most likely, however, the Nets are left without superstar Dwight Howard, and the team enters its new beginning in Brooklyn as an average team at best for its inaugural season.