As Andy Vasquez of the Record writes Thursday, "Debating which team is better in August, is a bit of a fruitless exercise, but one NBA fans engage in because, we’ve got a little too much time on our hands."
Still, the drumbeat of rivalry between the two New York teams can already be heard, in debates at workplaces, schoolyards, in blogs or on twitter. It's already been enhanced by comments from perennial Knick killer Paul Pierce and Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith.
On Wednesday, the Knicks made Mike Woodson available and he was diplomatic, praising the hiring of Jason Kidd and the Nets moves, but noting that his team did well, too, since the playoffs ended.
"I wish him nothing but the best until he plays the New York Knicks, and that's how it should be," Woodson said of Kidd, adding, "Brooklyn made a lot of nice offseason moves. A number of teams made some great moves. Only time will tell."
There were a subtle dig just under the surface. Woodson said, "I don’t buy into a lot of the things that are being said because you still have to play."
Of course, Woodson has some early medical issues. One of his big off-season acquisitions, Andrea Bargnani, has pneumonia in Italy and won't play in FIBA Eurobasket. Smith's return from knee surgery isn't likely till after the season starts.
- Knicks, Nets already jockeying for position - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Division foes setting sights on Knicks - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Mike Woodson unsure of Knicks' starting lineup - Ian Cutler - Newsday
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Mike Woodson: Andrea Bargnani still battling pneumonia - Jared Zwerling - ESPN New York
- Nets more talented than championship C's? - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
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Knicks links: Andrea Bargnani's pneumonia, Iman Shumpert's rap and Amar'e Stoudemire's new gig - Alex Raskin - Star-Ledger