The Brooklyn Nets have improved their starting five in many ways with the addition of Joe Johnson and resigning Gerald Wallace. The addition of Johnson will prove pivotal as I expect the Nets to lead the Eastern Conference in three points made.
Johnson was No. 8 in the league with 125 three pointers made and right behind him at No. 11 is current teammate Deron Williams with 115.
In 2010-2011, for the first time in his career, Williams got into triple-digits in three pointers made in a season. Johnson has hit over 100 three-pointers six times in his career.
Last season, both of these players hit 240 threes combined in a season that only featured 62 regular season games. Imagine the damage they could cause in a full season with 82 games.
Johnson will prove key since he will be in charge of knocking down shots from the perimeter as Williams will probably focus more on penetration to create havoc in the paint for their opponents. Williams will have the option of finishing or kicking it out to Johnson. So will Brook Lopez, who will likely attract double teams if he proves he can be a dominant force down low.
Also, helping from the bench as three-point threats are C.J. Watson and MarShon Brooks who should combine to hit over 100 threes in the season.
Last season the Nets were in third place behind the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic in the East. The Nets totaled 507 threes while the Knicks hit 517 and the Magic hit a whopping 670.
The Magic are without Dwight Howard, whose presence the team will surely miss as it will affect the offensive production down in Orlando. No Howard means less offensive rebounds and less possessions. Also, without a dominant force below, defenses will adjust and play Orlando in the perimeter.
The Knicks will have Steve Novak popping threes, but nobody else makes the list in the Top 50 in that team.
