Re-signing point guard Deron Williams and acquiring shooting guard Joe Johnson have given the New Jersey Nets an All-Star backcourt that can get the franchise back to the playoffs in its first season in Brooklyn.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, general Manager Billy King and coach Avery Johnson said the Nets can be one of the top teams in the East, but they need a few more pieces to compete for an NBA title.
The Nets, who saw a deal for Dwight Howard fall through earlier this week, have reshaped their woeful team since missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. They have re-signed small forward Gerald Wallace and center Brook Lopez, acquired forward Reggie Evans and are talking with veteran Kris Humphries and Jerry Stackhouse.
