Worst to First?

The NBA's worst record, the leagues lowest attendance number, three different head coaches, and a changing of location? The 2009-2010 NBA season couldn't have gone much worse for the New Jersey Nets.

Fast forward to today, and a team that once looked so bleak is starting to appear ready to make a run in the near and distant future.

The decision to move the team from Newark to Brooklyn was a great start in revitalizing the franchise. Playing in the world's biggest market is going to bring fans to the games regardless of the team's record. The Knicks may have always been the main focus in the Tri-State area, but if things go according to plan the navy blue and red will overtake the blue and orange as the colors of New York basketball.

Mikhail Prokhorov is perfect for New York. In a town where fans have as many rooting options as any, it takes a full blown commitment to winning to maintain an interest. Prokhorov has the look of a man who will use billions in improving the team. His decision to hire Avery Johnson as head coach has all the makings of a great choice. Johnson compiled a 194-70 record during his four seasons in Dallas. A loss in the 05 Finals after leading 2-0, followed by an embarrassing loss to the number eight seed Golden State Warriors in the 06 playoffs was enough to push Mark Cuban over the edge in firing Johnson. Since his departure in 06, Johnson has been an NBA analyst at ESPN. It remains to be seen how the layoff will affect him in his return to coaching. In the meantime, however, the hiring of Johnson seems to be step one in what will surely be an eventful summer.

From a roster perspective, the Nets are not as far off as originally thought. Sure the team had the misfortune of falling to third in the NBA lottery but drafting Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins remains a solid contribution to an already young team. Though their 09-10 record would indicate otherwise, the Nets have their core in place. Devin Harris is already, if not on his way, to being one of the league's best Point Guards, while Brooke Lopez is one of the game's premier Centers. Harris and Lopez are the two pieces that will attract All Stars like Lebron James and Chris Bosh to the Nets...that and Prokhorov's millions.

The Nets are already in position to offer big money to at least one max contract free agent. With a little more roster trimming, they will be in the ideal scenario of affording two. Adding two All Stars to the Harris-Lopez combo will surely make the Nets a long term contender in the Eastern Conference. For a team that was so close to winning a championship from 01-03, maybe Prokhorov's guidance is the final ingredient for this title-craved franchise.

From the impending bright lights of New York to the hiring of Avery Johnson to the July 1st countdown, the Nets appear to be a team on the brink of greatness. From where they were to where they eventually may be, they had to go through hell before they reached heaven.