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There is no doubt that the Brooklyn Nets were one if, if not the top team that was able to significantly improve its contender status over what was a highly successful summer. From the laughing stock of the league a few seasons ago, the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant over the offseason has catapulted the Nets into a legitimate threat to the title.
One man who has been a witness to this dramatic change in the team's fortunes is no less than Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson. Recently, the 52-year-old shot-caller — who himself is given a lot of credit for the team's progress over the past few years — shared his thoughts on how the changes in and around the club have been nothing short of drastic.
Article Continues Below“Well, people showed up to our press conference. First year it was like crickets,” coach Atkinson said, via Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “I think it’s a presence. And even during camp, they were watching what we’re doing, then they’re talking to players on the side and talking about strategy. They’re hoop junkies. These guys they just want to talk basketball really.”
Atkinson went on to describe how the addition of two bona fide NBA superstars has propelled the Nets into one of the league's most sought-after teams.
“Then I noticed people outside our practice facility when you drive out. It’s like Real Madrid,” he said. “I thought it was funny. There’s a different excitement with the fans. I didn’t say they camped out, but there was some kind of tent there. So I drove around the other way and I came the back way the guy had my picture up. It’s just funny.”
Real Madrid is one of the biggest soccer clubs in the whole world, and has been known to attract the biggest (and highest-paid) superstars of the sport. Such is the buzz surrounding the Nets this season, that even coach Atkinson himself could not help but compare his team's status to one of the most prominent organizations in all of competitive sport.
