When Mikhail Prokhorov purchased the Nets back in 2010, he predicted an NBA title in five years for the franchise. He is the type of owner that believes money is no object, understanding that in order to win, one must be willing to spend big bucks in pursuit of a championship. That belief became even more clear when Prokhorov signed Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to deals, creating an upgrade starting five and bench. With plenty of All-Stars in place, Pierce thinks this is a team for the history books.
Pierce knows what it is like to be a part of one of those "special" teams. The kind of team that the Miami Heat have right now could fit into that category. The Boston Celtics of 2007-08 were certainly one of those clubs after the team won 66 games and an NBA championship. Can history repeat itself for the Brooklyn Nets? Pierce certainly believes so.
"The potential is definitely there for us to be one of those teams that can be talked about in NBA history," Pierce said, via CBSSports.com. "But it's up to us to go out there and show it, be healthy and make a great run, and then win a championship to be in those talks."
The new Nets lineup certainly has the firepower that Pierce is talking about. The Nets players currently combine for 36 All-Star selections. Their own personal Big Three of Pierce, Garnett and Deron Williams will lead a talented team filled with plenty of depth.
The one thing standing in the way of the Nets are injuries. The lineup is not young and it is already showing. Williams has yet to make an appearance in any preseason games after suffering an ankle injury in the offseason. The point guard participated in full practice for the first time this season, making head coach Jason Kidd hopeful Williams can return sooner rather than later. Pierce does not believe Williams needs to rush back any time soon.
"Truthfully, if Deron is there at the beginning or not, the most important time is at the All-Star break, anyway, when teams start peaking," Pierce said. "We're not going to reach our potential in the first week or second week of the season. And I don't think any team will. The only teams that are already there are the teams like the Heat and the teams that have been together. So it's important for us to get healthy right now. Then when we get healthy, we'll peak at the right time."
The Nets season kicks off in a week and the quest for a title begins. The roster brings added expectations, something everyone is ready to fulfill according to Pierce.