Before the Los Angeles Lakers grabbed the headlines this off-season with the acquisitions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, the Brooklyn Nets were the talk of the summer.

With the surprise sign-and-trade deal that landed the team Joe Johnson, the Nets continued showing they were a serious threat with the re-signing of Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brooke Lopez.

However, even though the Nets have arguably one of the best deepest rosters in the league, few would argue that the Lakers, Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder aren't the top teams with the best chances of winning the title this season.

But Johnson begs to differ.

According to Stefan Body of the New York Daily News via Twitter, Johnson is claiming that the Nets can take down the Lakers and the Heat to win a title this season.

That's a strong bold statement made by Johnson, who has yet to play a game with his new teammates, but at the same time he has the right to feel confident.

Yes the Nets have a deep roster on their hands, but they also will arguably have one of the best backcourts this season with the combination of Williams and Johnson. Though it has yet to be determined to see how this combo will turn out, but at the same time these are two unselfish All-Stars both willing to share the spot light on a team.

Though the Lakers and the Heat have experience as a unit in big game situations, it wouldn't be fair to count the Nets out as they have a legitimate chance to pull an upset in the playoffs, should they make it.

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