5 Reasons Why Brooklyn Nets Fans Should Be Excited for 2014-15 Season
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Despite a rocky start to the 2013-14 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets became one of the better teams in the league during the campaign's later months. After winning a playoff series this past spring, there are reasons to be excited for the Nets again in 2014-15 despite the loss of Paul Pierce. Here are the top five.
5. Bojan Bogdanovic is a Hidden Gem
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5. Bojan Bogdanovic is a Hidden Gem
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While the NBA world is abuzz with talk of rookies Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, Nets fans can get excited about first-year player and 2011 draftee Bojan Bogdanovic. As Mason Plumlee did last season during his rookie campaign, Bogdanovic will be a contributor for the Nets right from the jump. He's a versatile player with the potential for growth in the seasons ahead.
Alright, so this is somewhat facetious ... And I do feel bad hitting a sore spot for the Nets faithful, but given his history, you can't help but feel relieved, right? Lopez has missed a lot of games over the past three years and, although he was inactive for the season opener, every indication is that he'll be good to go sooner than later. A healthy Lopez would obviously be a boon for the franchise.
3. D-Will is Back in Business
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3. D-Will is Back in Business
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Fairly or not, Deron Williams has been much maligned by the media and fans, but the former All-Star and Olympic gold medalist says all of that is behind him now. The wrist and ankle problems that have plagued the guard for much of his career aren't affecting him at the moment and he looks to have improved his conditioning greatly in the offseason. Also, his beard is more epic than ever and his hairline is holding strong. Comeback season anyone?
2. One of the Best Coaches in the NBA is Leading the Charge
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2. One of the Best Coaches in the NBA is Leading the Charge
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Jason Kidd became a Hall-of-Fame player with the Nets, won a championship with the Mavs and coached his team to the playoffs last year. That said, controversy has surrounded him his entire career, culminating in a failed coup within the Nets' front office this past summer. With the hiring of Lionel Hollins as Kidd's successor, the team has replaced shenanigans with respectability in one of the finest coaches in recent history.
1. The Development of Mason Plumlee
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1. The Development of Mason Plumlee
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Mason Plumlee was one of the surprises of the NBA community last season. If you ask me, he should've been named Rookie of the Year at season's end. His run continued over the summer with an impressive tour with USA Basketball. He has all the tools to be a game-changer with defense, rebounding and energy plays; watching him grow into one of the premiere frontcourt players in the league should be a joy for Nets fans.
Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.
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