The Nets made the biggest move in the offseason, well at least geographically. The team moved across the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey to Brooklyn. The first thing Brooklyn did was trade for shooting guard Joe Johnson and persuaded Deron Williams to re-sign. They then re-signed the rest of their future starting lineup Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez, and Kris Humphries.
The Nets could field the NBA's most dynamic backcourt with Johnson and Williams - two players that can attack the basket or spot-up and shoot. Johnson is a 6-foot-8, highly gifted shooting guard who averaged 18.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting .454 from the field and .388 from 3-point range last season for Atlanta.
The Nets' re-signing Gerald Wallace fortified their roster. He averaged 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last season, which he split between Portland and New Jersey. Center Brook Lopez gives the net a scoring an offensive minded center, but also a liability on defense. Wallace and Johnson will have to pick up the defensive play for Lopez's weakness.
The bench has a few players that can be strong contributors like MarShon Brooks, Josh Childress, and Andray Blatche, but they are still relatively young and have yet to live up to their potential. The Nets will also have to be wary of the injury bug that has bitten Lopez and Williams in their careers.
According to NBA 2K13, the Nets will finally return to the NBA playoffs and move past the first round during the 2012-13 campaign. The Nets will have the Eastern Conferences' third best record. But injuries to Williams and Lopez during the NBA Playoffs derail their climb towards the NBA's elite. The Chicago Bulls dominate the Nets in the second round of the playoffs and win the series 4-1.
Here is how the game simulates the Nets' season:
Regular Season Record: 49-33 third in the Eastern Conference
Top scorers: C Brook Lopez 16.9 PPG, PG Deron Wiliams 21.5 PPG, SG Joe Johnson 22.3 PPG
Leading rebounders: C Brook Lopez 5.9 RPG, SF Gerald Wallace 6.7 RPG, PF Kris Humphries 10.3 RPG
Assist Leader: SG Joe Johnson 3.7 APG, PG CJ Watson 4.7 APG, PG Deron Williams 10.1 APG
Playoff Opponents
Round 1 Philadelphia 76ers, The Nets win the series 4-2
Round 2: Chicago Bulls, the Bulls win the series 4-1
Eastern Conference Finals: Did not qualify
NBA Finals: Did not qualify
Check out our other NBA 2K13 team previews:
Miami Heat
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers
New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets
Chicago Bulls
Los Angeles Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Portland Trail Blazers
Cleveland Cavaliers