Brooklyn Nets: Why the Talent Just Isn't Enough to Win a Title

The designation of greatness is often delegated to the individual whose achievements trump those of his peers. The surrounding factors of this singular athlete's glory, however, cannot be overlooked nor forgotten.

To put this in layman's terms, you're not going to win an NBA championship because of your individual ability. A great team will beat a great player every year round.

In 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers' well-oiled machine beat Dwight Howard's Orlando Magic. In 2007, the San Antonio Spurs' systematic attack destroyed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. As you go on in history, this trend will continue.

We have entered a new age in the NBA, however, as an individual no longer leads a team. Instead, it is a free agency and trade-driven league in which numerous All-Stars on one roster are the only way for a team to build towards glory.

Building and creating, however, are two separate entities.

Franchises have long attempted to piece together top-tier talent in hopes of an eventual NBA championship. With that being said, the new era that began in 2010 certainly blows previous attempts out of the water.

General managers are now under the assumption that the most talented unit will win the gold. The unfortunate truth, however, is that talent alone will not win a title. After all, there is a marginal distinction to be made between a group of talented players and a team.

A prime source of proof are the 2011 Miami Heat.

The Heat had an elite assortment of players whose individual talents outweighed those of almost any in the NBA. Unfortunately, the Heat ran into a Dallas Mavericks unit that was built around ball movement, intelligent shot selection and trust amongst teammates. Most importantly, they were a team that had built an unbreakable chemistry.

Something the Miami Heat lacked.

One year later, those very Miami Heat came back with a vengeance. With virtually the same team as the year before, the Heat took home the gold in 2012. This was not because of their talented individuals, but instead how the team came together as a unit.

One dangerous force that found themselves working off of one another's abilities.

Now, this is not to deny the obvious. Having great individual players on your team most certainly offers you a great advantage. After all, a great team with great players will trump a great team with mediocre weapons any day of the week.

The question is, are the Brooklyn Nets a great team or simply a great assortment of talent?

That is the question that must be answered before the lofty expectations hold any bearing. As of this moment, the Nets are simply a playoff contender who will put forth one of the most gifted starting fives in the league. As the New York Knicks showed us in 2012, however, that won't get you very far.

Temper the expectations, pause the championship dreams and allow these players to see the court before jumping to conclusions. Unless they can come together, this is just a temporary fix to a long-lasting problem.