The NBA off-season’s biggest surprise: The Brooklyn Nets

Andrei Kirilenko trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Nets has been shrouded in controversy. (Getty Images)

Andrei Kirilenko

While the terms of Kirilenko’s contract with the Nets are a little shady, let’s analyse the impact of the Russian swingman in Brooklyn and not speculate how many roubles owner Mikhail Prokhorov is paying Andrei on the side (because no one just takes a $7 million pay cut for no reason).

The arrival of Kirilenko shuts up critics who say that there is no depth to the Nets’ bench. ‘AK47’ will anchor a bench that is composed of rebounding machine Reggie Evans, Andray Blatche and Shaun Livingston.

Kirilenko can do everything: rebound, pass, score and execute the fast break to perfection. He averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 rebounds during an injury-plagued campaign last season with the Timberwolves but is capable of averaging close to 20 points a game.

If he can resist the urge to shoot from the perimeter, and focus on his defence (which he is very good at), he could be an early favourite to win sixth man of the year. AK47 is the perfect back up for Pierce.

The 35-year-old is no longer able to play 35-plus minutes per game so Kirilenko will play a crucial role coming off the bench for Pierce. Because he is so versatile, he causes match-up nightmares for the opposition. Imagine a frontline with Kirilenko, Garnett and Lopez; teams will be hard-pressed to contain all three players when they are on the floor together.

The long and short of it is that this is a great move by the Nets, given they now have a talented and veteran starting five (Williams, Pierce, Joe Johnson, Lopez, Garnett) with a dependable bench that is capable of holding on to leads and maintaining a high level of defensive pressure.

The Brooklyn Nets introduced Jason Kidd as their new Head Coach at a press conference at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York, on June 13, 2013. (Getty Images)

Coach Jason Kidd

It was a huge shock when the Nets announced that they had appointed Jason Kidd (who played with the New York Knicks last season) as head coach.

There were many other coaches (Stan & Jeff Van Gundy and Nate McMilllan) that were available that had decades more experience and success than Kidd. The Nets just assembled a veteran team that had players who had played for the same number of years as Kidd.

It seemed like there could be issues with respect and authority. With a possible championship-contending roster, did the Nets really want to take a gamble and place a coach with no experience at the helm of the team?

Despite the drawbacks, though, one can see why the Brooklyn front office did it: Kidd is a Nets legend. He elevated the franchise to new heights while wearing a Nets jersey and brought a mediocre team to the finals in 2002.

Kidd is also arguably one of the best point guards in the history of the NBA. He is second in all-time assists and steals and has led the NBA five times in assists. He is considered one of the best “rebounding point-guards” of all time and is third all-time in three-point field goals made.

His excellent court vision should translate well in his coaching career and he has surrounded himself with highly experienced assistant coaches, such as former Nets coach Laurence Frank. He is also gaining valuable experience in the Orlando and Las Vegas summer leagues in preparation for next season.

If given the proper guidance and handed a dose of luck, Kidd could do wonders with a team that is led by a premier point guard in Williams. But it is only fair to wonder if this was the right time to put such a “green” coach in charge of the Nets.

Overall, the additions of Pierce, Garnett and Kirilenko have done nothing but strengthen the Nets roster. They have an elite starting five and a solid bench – a necessity for any team hoping to win a title.

While their coaching change is a little puzzling, the Nets have taken a calculated gamble. The experienced coaching staff they have assembled around Kidd should guide him through the season.

All said and done, the Brooklyn Nets have the tools to upset the reign of the Miami Heat and shake things up next season.