The New York Knicks have been New York's number one team since being established in the mid 1940's, but now face some competition for the rights to being No.1 with the arrival of the Brooklyn Nets.
Now I know some of you may be thinking that there's no way that the Nets will take over New York but when you look at the lineups that both teams have, the Nets may just be on their way to being New York's team.
Though the Knicks have big name players like Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler, they have yet to prove they have what it takes to truly contend in the East.
In the case of Anthony and Stoudemire many argue that the two just can't perform to the best of their ability when both players are on the floor.
Chemistry or not these two have had almost two seasons to play with one another, and with Stoudemire locked in as a Knick with such a hefty contract, there's no room for excuses.
Hopefully for the Knicks, Anthony continues his hot play coming off a successful Olympic gold campaign with Team USA during the 2012 London Olympics. As for Stoudemire, he's been working on his post moves with NBA Legend Hakeem Olajuwon and seems excited to prove something to his doubters this season.
This hopefully should be a good sign for the Knicks.
Let's not forget this offseason the Knicks lost point guard Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets, but they gained veteran point guard Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton as alternatives to "Linsanity". Also with the arrival of Ronnie Brewer to add more defensive pressure to go along with the eventual return of Iman Shumpert, the Knicks on paper should be in good shape.
But are they really a match for the Nets?
Yes the Knicks have a lot of star power, but that doesn't guarantee that the Knicks will be better. Upon taking a deeper look into the Nets roster, they may possibly have more depth.
The Nets have made some of the biggest offseason moves this summer beginning with the signing of guard Joe Johnson and the re-signing of forward Gerald Wallace and point guard Deron Williams.
The quality of players the Nets have may overall be better than that of the Knicks.
Though the Dwight Howard trade deal fell through, the Nets kept Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez and MarShon Brooks. They also added point guard C.J. Watson and power forward Reggie Evans to their lineup.
Just looking at the Nets roster, it seems like they will be the more physical team.
This season will be a good one in New York. The garden will be rocking whenever the Nets cross boroughs, but the season opener in Brooklyn will be a statement game for the team who emerges victorious.
Carmelo Anthony recently said that there's no Knicks-Nets rivalry.
I say Melo better wake up because this is without a doubt the newest rivalry in the NBA. New Yorkers have already begun to choose sides.
Melo better treat each game against the Nets like a playoff game if he wants to keep the respect of Knicks fans that's for sure.
