The Brooklyn Nets have officially introduced a brand new team on Thursday. Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and Kevin Garnett took their seats as the newest faces in Brooklyn with one thing on their mind, a championship. Pierce recognized that this was new territory for him after spending the first 15 years off his career with the Boston Celtics, but as one era ends, another one begins.
"It hasn't really sunk in. I think it's starting to really sink in as we speak," Pierce said. "For me to actually be here, look for a place to live, being in this arena, finding my way around this city. I'm a Brooklyn Nets now...I'm here to try to create some kind of legacy here in Brooklyn."
Pierce notes that he ideally would have liked to finish his career out in Boston, but knew his time as a Celtic was coming to an end. Doc Rivers was rumored to be out, Garnett was possibly leaving and Pierce knew that he could be out too. It was those factors that caused Garnett to officially waive his no-trade clause and accept a move to Brooklyn.
"Obviously having Jet [Jason Terry] and Paul with me was a really, really really big issue," Garnett said. "You want to be in a position where you're comfortable. I don't know anyone that loves change, but change has to happen for things to get better."
Brooklyn is certainly hoping things do get better. The projected starting lineup includes Garnett, Pierce, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. The team is poised to make a strong run in the Eastern Conference and onward to what most hope is an NBA Championship.
"Obviously I would've loved to have finished my career in Boston, but that day and age is finally over with. My ultimate drive is winning a championship," Pierce said.
First-year head coach Jason Kidd agrees. The newly hired coach notes that it first starts with the renewed rivalry with the New York Knicks and then it goes on to beating the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers and so on within the conference. The new lineup now has 35 All-Star appearances in total. The bench is even deeper with Terry, Andray Blatch and newly signed Andrei Kirilenko. Rookie Mason Plumlee will also figure into the rotation.
Since announcing the trade for Pierce and Garnett, the Nets have sold more than $3 million in full season tickets. The trio believes that building chemistry within the team will take time and fans must show patience, but once it is there the sky is the limit.
