The changing color of leaves, crisp autumn air, and the pending onset of the traditional holiday season usually signals the beginning of the NBA season. Last year, due to labor negotiations, the league didn’t commence operations until late December. The late start resulted in teams having to play a more arduous schedule than normal. As a harmonious accord was struck last year between players and management, the league is now set, going forward, to present an exuberant, exciting, NBA season. Many storylines abound throughout the Association. The Heat seeking a repeat and the Lakers huge additions are two of the most high profile scenarios that bear watching. One notch below those grandiose stories, a team with a new identity, and renewed hopes seek to rise to the national scene.

The Nets open their thirty-seventh campaign in a different fashion this year. Relocating to Brooklyn, the Nets bring a fresh start to a franchise that has seen more than it’s share of lean times. Not only does the move to downtown Brooklyn signify a new era, the team that will occupy the Barclays Center is quite different than longtime Nets’ fans are accustomed to watching. During their residence in New Jersey, the Nets rarely entered a season with high expectations. However, the 20!2-13 season will cause many observers to cast an eye towards the latest tenants of New York City.

Last year’s abysmal season left the Nets reeling. The New Jersey Nets allowed a 47% field goal percentage, as well as 37% from three point territory. Those numbers were 28th and 29th respectively. They also were last in defensive rebounds, and blocks. Hope abounds, as Brooklyn has undergone a roster transformation. The team introduces ten players that were not on the roster last season. Additionally, two other players combined to only play a third of the games last year.

The biggest coup for Brooklyn was resigning perennial All-Star Deron Williams. Williams is a gifted scorer, a talented shooter, and the face of the franchise. The trade to acquire All-Star guard, Joe Johnson, is what has many Nets’ fans enthralled. Johnson brings size at the two guard position, as well as defense and the ability to be a second option to Williams. The new backcourt formation is thought to be the best guard tandem in the league. Gerald Wallace, brought over at the trade deadline last season, enjoyed the benefit of a full training camp with Brooklyn. Wallace should also figure defensively into the Nets plans. A healthy Brook Lopez provides an additional scoring punch.

The aforementioned entities, as well as a seemingly fortified bench, has many suffering Nets’ fans joyful in anticipation. At the very least the Brooklyn should make the playoffs. That alone usually is a cause for celebration in Netsville, however this year’s team has a chance to forge a better future for the moribund franchise.

The NBA preseason usually serves as a banal display of half-hearted basketball. As the players work to get in shape, playing in locales such as Kansas City and Anaheim, fans hope that their favorite stars don’t decide to take the night off. Last night’s exhibition game, contested between the neighboring New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, certainly didn’t fit the usual preseason fare. With the rabid throng of support filling the Nassau Coliseum, the budding inter-city rivalry got off to a great start.

Early in the afternoon of October 24, 2012, the New York Islanders announced that they were leaving the antiquated confines of the Nassau Coliseum, heading to the newly opened Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn, starting in 2015-16. This announcement came in conjunction with the Brooklyn Nets paying a visit to Long Island, to be the “home” team against the “visiting” New York Knicks. From the outset, it was obvious that the crowd supported the Knicks thoroughly. Fans cheered as Knick guard, Pablo Prigoni dazzled with sensational assists. Adoration showered forward Steve Novak, when the New York shooting specialist sprinkled three pointers from deep.

Brooklyn was led by all star guard Deron Williams, and his 22 points. The Knicks featured a balanced attack, with five teammates netting double digit points. A recurring theme of Brooklyn’s preseason, has been their inability to pass efficiently. Last night, proving no exception, saw the Nets mete out a whopping eight assists, bringing their preseason average to 16.7. New York, on the other hand dished out 26 assists, led by reserve guard, and 35 year old “rookie”, Pablo Prigoni. The Nets outrebounded their opponents 47-37, with backup forward Andray Blatche gathering 10 boards on the glass. Blatche has been a case study thus far, since he is a low risk investment by the Nets. Brooklyn’s gamble has shown positive early returns, as the erstwhile Blatche has contributed11.7 ppg, and 7.5 rpg off the bench. Another discovery for Brooklyn, has been rookie guard Tyshawn Taylor. Taylor chipped in 10 points in the narrow defeat, and has seemingly earned a spot in the Nets rotation. Taylor has posted 8 ppg, on 50% from the field.

With a pro Knick contingent of 15,957 on the edge of their seats in the fourth quarter, the game took on a playoff vibe. Brooklyn and New York both gave their reserves one last chance to impress, since this was the last preseason tilt. The reserves made errors, but thrilled the crowd nonetheless, as the game went into overtime. Down the stretch, The orange and blue clad visiting Knicks provided the heartbroken Nassau County fans a joyous evening. If the regular season is anything like last night’s game, a rivalry will definitely be in full bloom. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait long, as the Knicks and Nets open against each other on November 1.