Both the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets had busy off-seasons and both teams entered the 2013-14 season with high expectations. In a media conference call Friday afternoon, TNT Sports’ NBA analyst and five-time NBA champion Steve Kerr weighed in on the growing rivalry between both teams and took a stand regarding which team is currently the Kings of New York.
“The best team in New York is Brooklyn, especially right now with (Knicks center) Tyson Chandler being injured,” said Kerr in the call, which was sponsored by 2K Sports’ NBA 2K14 video game, of which Kerr provides his commentating voice this year.
The Knicks are 2-4 and are without the all-star Chandler who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after suffering a displaced fracture of his right fibula against the Charlotte Bobcats last week. The Knicks are weighing heavily upon their superstar Carmelo Anthony’s 23.2 points per game.
“I think the Knicks are a good team, they proved that last year, ” Kerr said. “When they’re healthy, they’re going to win a lot of games and they should be a playoff team.”
Although he believes they are a decent team, Kerr doesn’t think that the Knicks are on the same level of some of the top teams in the the NBA’s Eastern Conference, including the likes of the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers: “They’re a significant notch below the elite teams in the league,” he said.
The Nets, who are also 2-4, have been up and down the past couple of weeks. They lost 96-91 to the Indiana Pacers , the NBA’s only unbeaten team at 7-0 Saturday night at Barclays Center. The Pacers’ Paul George had 24 points, six rebounds for the game. The Nets’ Deron Williams and Joe Johnson both had 17 points for Brooklyn. The Nets also strung a couple of wins against the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat at home. But they were blown out on the road in a 107-86 loss last Sunday against the Orlando Magic in Jason Kidd’s coaching debut after a two-game suspension to start the season.
Despite the slow start, Kerr is still rolling with the Nets.
“I like Brooklyn better anyway, I think they just have more talent and they’re more well rounded,” Kerr said.
Following its win in Charlotte Friday night, the Knicks returned to action Sunday afternoon at home against the San Antonio Spurs and were blown out 120-89.The Spurs shot 72 percent in the first quarter and were led by Tony Parker’s 17 points and six assists and Long Island native Danny Green’s 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani scored 16 points apiece. The Knicks play tomorrow in Atlanta against the Hawks. Brooklyn is on the west coast and take on the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night.
By Brandon Robinson
(@ScoopB)
